CABINET OFFICE

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether years spent in the Civil Service Pension Scheme up to 2013 will continue to attract pension rights based on the final salary of the employee on their retirement at age 65 years following the proposed changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", proposes that pension rights earned before April 2013 by staff in post on 5 April 2006 will continue to be calculated by reference to a pension age of 60 and their final salary whenever they choose to retire or leave service.

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the effect that the changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme retirement age will have on serving prison officers who may become unable to carry out their prison work beyond the age of 60 years due to physical incapacity; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", proposes that the new pension arrangements will, as now, include provisions for members who have to retire before pension age because of ill health or physical incapacity. The document also recognises that the physically-demanding nature of some members' jobs may not be compatible with a pension age of 65. Officials are discussing with employers of civil servants in physically-demanding occupations (including the prison services) the most appropriate way to handle these groups.

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of people who transferred pension rights from the armed forces to the Prison Service who will work for a number of years at the end of their careers without building up any further pension rights; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: No assessment of the number of people who transferred pension rights from the armed forces to the Prison Service has been made. The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", addresses the issue of restrictions on benefits and asks whether we should allow members to build up their pension without limiting them to 40 years' service.

Civil Service Pensions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many serving (a) prison officers and (b) other civil servants will be affected by the changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

David Miliband: The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", proposes that the main changes to the Civil Service Pension arrangements should apply to existing staff from 1 April 2013, but that some changes might apply before then. As at 31 March 2004, there were 617,000 members of the scheme, of which some 27,000 are prison officers. The Scheme Actuary estimates that, of those members who are likely to be in post on 5 April 2006, 420,000 will still be in service in April 2013.

Statutory Regulatory Bodies

Denzil Davies: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many statutory regulatory bodies have been established since 1997.

David Miliband: This information is not collected centrally.

PRIME MINISTER

Engagements

Simon Thomas: To ask the Prime Minister if hewill list his official engagements for 11 February 2005.

Tony Blair: I had no official engagements on 11 February 2005.

Lord Levy

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of all the individuals or organisations who have met Lord Levy in 2004 to discuss public policy; if he will list the representatives of the gaming industry who have met Lord Levy to discuss the Government's proposals for gaming; how many meetings in 2004 have been attended by Lord Levy on official premises or in the presence of officials; what subjects were discussed; and which countries have been visited in 2004 by Lord Levy as his personal envoy.

Tony Blair: The information is not held in the format requested. However, in his capacity as Prime Minister's envoy, Lord Levy undertakes meetings to exchange views on a range of issues, including the Middle East Peace Process, Latin America and Kazakhstan. Lord Levy's diary for 1999–2004 is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website under the Freedom of Information Act.

Parliamentary Questions

Annette Brooke: To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole on 24 January, reference 211247.

Tony Blair: I replied on 28 February.

Queen's Flight

Chris Grayling: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  on how many occasions he has used the Queen's Flight in each of the past five years;
	(2)  how much money his Office spent on chartering aircraft in each of the past five years.

Tony Blair: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Management Code.

TRANSPORT

Aircraft Charters

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport how much money his Department has spent on chartering aircraft in each of the past five years.

Charlotte Atkins: The department was formed in May 2002.
	Travel by Ministers makes it clear that special flights may be authorised when a scheduled service is not available, or when it is essential to travel by air, but the requirements of official or parliamentary business or security considerations or urgency preclude the journey being made by a scheduled service. In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list published in 1999 covers the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Where RAF/Private Charter aircraft are used this is shown in the list. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2004–05 will be published in due course.
	In addition, the Department has spent the following on chartering aircraft since its formation:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 0 
			 2003–04 2,893.54 
			 2004–05 5,720.00

Departmental Communication

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on informing hon. Members of key decisions affecting their constituency transport infrastructure.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department's policy is to keepthe House of Commons and individual Members informed as appropriate.

Driving Instruction

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines on the Pass Plus course are issued to driving instructors and others involved in driving tuition; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Pass Plus Scheme is a voluntary scheme undertaken by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). On registering as a Pass Plus instructor the ADI receives a Pass Plus starter pack which includes a comprehensive 34 page instructor guide. The guide explains the scheme and sets out the instructors role and the syllabus to be followed.
	The starter pack also contains several copies of a 39page pupils guide, which explains the scheme and syllabus from the pupil's perspective, training report forms, and copies of a list containing the names of the participating insurance companies. A copy of this information is supplied to the pupil upon entry to the scheme.

Driving Instruction

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transportwhat statistics his Department collects for (a) motorway accidents and (b) motorway accidents involving newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport collects detailed statistics on road accidents involving personal injury, including motorway accidents. These are reported in the annual publication Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report", which can be found on the Department's website. There were 8,746 motorway accidents involving personal injury in 2003. Information on whether drivers in motorway accidents are newly qualified is not collected in this system.

Driving Instruction

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics his Department collects for (a) all road traffic accidents and (b) road traffic accidents involving newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport collects detailed statistics on road accidents involving personal injury. These are reported in the annual publication Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report", which can be found on the Department's website. There were 214,030 road accidents involving personal injury in 2003. Information on whether drivers are newly qualified is not collected in this system. However, we know from research we have undertaken that one in five new drivers has some sort of accident within one year of passing their driving test. A cohort study of new drivers currently under way will refresh this information.

East Coast Main Line

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the awarding of the East Coast Mainline Franchise.

Alistair Darling: An announcement is likely to be made in the next few weeks.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on Aids to Transport by Rail, Road and Inland Waterway met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee for the Application of Legislation on the Development of the Community Railways met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee for the (i) application of uniform principles on costing for railway undertakings and (ii)harmonisation and comparability of the accounting and annual accounts of railway undertakings met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee (i) on the system of charging for the use of transport infrastructure, (ii) on the development of trans-European transport networks and (iii) for granting Community financial aid in the field of trans-European energy networks met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: (i) There were no meetings of this Committee during the period in question.
	(ii) This Committee met three times during the course of the three presidencies, on 20 October 2003, 11 May 2004 and 17 November 2004. The meetings took place in Brussels and on each occasion the United Kingdom was represented by an official from the Europe Division of the Department for Transport.
	(iii) Responsibility for representation on this Committee rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

European Aviation Safety Agency

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the activity of the European Aviation Safety Agency in the UK in the last 12 months; and if he will list its publications and newsletters published over that period.

Charlotte Atkins: Regulation (EC) No. 1592/2002 on common rules in the field of civil aviation safety and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency makes a clear distinction between the safety responsibilities of the Agency and those remaining with member states' aviation authorities, such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority. However, the Regulation also allows the Agency to use the national authorities to carry out on its behalf tasks that need to be performed to meet its own responsibilities.
	The Agency does not have a physical presence in the United Kingdom. While it has been recruiting staff to its offices in Cologne and establishing necessary procedures, all the necessary technical work to meet its responsibilities in the UK have been carried out on its behalf by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
	In 2004, the European Aviation Safety Agency approved the following airworthiness-related items for United Kingdom companies and UK-registered aircraft on the basis of investigations and recommendations made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Modifications to aircraft 2,201 
			 Repairs to aircraft 1,910 
			 Airworthiness Directives and related items 60 
			 Approval of organisations that design aircraft 27 
			 Total 4,198 
		
	
	For some aircraft types operating on the UK register the Agency has assigned the airworthiness-related tasks in the categories above to other national aviation authorities, or to multi-national teams that include personnel from the EU national aviation authorities and, in some cases, employees of the Agency. As these tasks were undertaken in other countries, accurate information on the number and nature of approvals granted is not held in the UK.
	The Agency does not have a publications service. During the last 12 months, the Agency has issued a considerable number of documents, including detailed consultations, information leaflets and the minutes of its Management Board's meetings, all of which can be accessed on the Agency's website at www.easa.eu.int.

Highway Schemes

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which highway schemes provisionally approved by his Department in the local Transport Capital Settlements announced in (a) December 2000, (b) December 2001, (c) December 2002 and (d) December 2003 have since been rejected.

Charlotte Atkins: holding answer 28 February 2005
	No local major highway schemes that were provisionally approved between December 2000 and 2003 have since been rejected. However, the Bridgefoot Environmental Bypass provisionally approved in 2000 has subsequently been withdrawn by Warrington borough council.

Motor Cycles

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the public consultation process for his Department's plans for a register for post-test motorcycle trainers; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The consultation paper on developmental training for qualified motorcyclists is due to be published by the Driving Standards Agency in the early spring of this year.

Motor Cycles

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make provision for Safety Camera Partnerships to fund the Bikesafe scheme when the Motor Cycle Industry Association's grant-aid finishes; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department welcomes the police's initiative in developing the Bikesafe initiative. The Government's Motorcycling Strategy, published on 22 February, recognised that Bikesafe is a legitimate component of roads policing promoting road safety, and police forces have the freedom to devote resources to the scheme.
	The Safety Camera Programme has a specific purpose, provided for in the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001, section 38 Unified power for the Secretary of State to fund speed cameras etc.. The programme provides police forces and highway authorities with extra resources to support the deployment and operation of safety cameras, from the fines for speeding and red light offences detected, over and above their main funding. The resources provided through the programme cannot be used for other purposes, not provided for in the Act.

Motorways

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new motorway service areas were opened in each of the last eight years.

David Jamieson: Since February 1997 16 motorway service areas have opened:
	
		
			  Service areas 
		
		
			 1997  
			 M20 Maidstone 
			   
			 1998  
			 M40 Oxford 
			 M56 Chester 
			   
			 1999  
			 M1 Tibshelf 
			 Ml Donnington Park 
			 M5 Cullompton (north bound) 
			 M6 Stafford (south bound) 
			 M42 Hopwood Park 
			 M5 Bridgewater 
			 2000  
			 A1(M) Doncaster North 
			   
			 2001  
			 A1(M) Peterborough 
			 A14 Cambridge 
			 A1(M) Baldock 
			 M3 Winchester 
			   
			 2003  
			 M54 Castle Farm (Telford) 
			   
			 2004  
			 M6 (toll) Norton Canes

Rail Safety

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action (a) his Department and (b) Network Rail plan to take to promote rail safety in the forthcoming 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The actions the Department will take include the simplification of the regulatory structure, the coming into operation of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the making of regulations to transpose the European rail safety directive.
	Network Rail will continue its systematic improvement of the control of key risks, reduction of business loss, compliance with new legislation (including European directives) and work with industry partners to improve the safety and performance of Britain's railway.

Road Safety

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic accidents took place in (a) Essex and (b) Southend in each year since 1997.

David Jamieson: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		Accidents in Essex: 19972003
		
			  Essex Southend-on-Sea 
		
		
			 1997 6,886 692 
			 1998 6,821 698 
			 1999 6,843 717 
			 2000 6,985 745 
			 2001 6,773 686 
			 2002 6,408 656 
			 2003 6,182 612

Road Safety

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the provision of road safety cameras.

David Jamieson: Road safety cameras are operated by local partnerships of police forces and highway authorities, which are provided with additional resources from fine receipts, through the national safety camera programme. Two further partnerships are to join the programme for 200506, Surrey and Merseyside. Following the issue of the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales for 200506 in November 2004, partnerships have submitted their bids for the 200506 programme. Partnerships' bids are now being assessed, and I shall announce the results when the assessment is completed. Copies of the Handbook are in the Libraries of the House.

Road Safety

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Tiredness Kills signs there are on motorways in England; and where they are located.

David Jamieson: The number of Tiredness Kills signs on motorways in England and their locations are:
	
		
			  MSA  Carriageway Number of Signs 
		
		
			 A1(M) Blyth (Southbound only) 1 
			 Ml Leicester Forest East  2 
			 Ml Toddington (Northbound only) 1 
			 Ml Trowell  2 
			 Ml Woodall  2 
			 Ml Wooley Edge  2 
			 M2 Medway  2 
			 M4 Reading  2 
			 M4 Chieveley  2 
			 M5 Cullompton (Northbound only) 1 
			 M5 Exeter  2 
			 M5 Sedgemoor Services  2 
			 M5 Frankley  2 
			 M6 Burton  2 
			 M6 Hilton Park  2 
			 M6 Knutsford  2 
			 M6 Sandbach  2 
			 M6 Southwaite  2 
			 M6 Stafford  2 
			 M6 Tebay  2 
			 M6 Killington  2 
			 M6 Forton  2 
			 M18 Doncaster North  2 
			 M20 Maidstone (Eastbound only) 1 
			 M23 Pease Pottage  2 
			 M25 Thurrock (Southbound only) 1 
			 M40 Cherwell Valley  2 
			 M42 Tamworth  2 
			 M62 Ferrybridge  2 
			 M62 Hartshead Moor  2 
			 M69 Leicester Forest East (Southbound only) 1 
			 Ml80 Doncaster North (Westbound only) 1 
			 Total number of Signs at MSAs 57 
		
	
	These signs, which are usually worded Tiredness Can Kill, Take a Break, are generally provided on the approaches to Motorway Service Areas.

Staff Identity Passes

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of producing a staff identity pass was in the Department on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many staff identity passes have been reported lost or stolen in each year since 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002.
	In DfT's London Headquarters in 200405 to date we have replaced some 76 passes but this also includes replacing damaged passes as well as those lost or stolen. Information from earlier years is not available. The cost of replacing each pass is 13.52.
	For elsewhere on the DfT estate we do not have comprehensive information to be able to provide a definitive standard cost of producing staff identity pass because of the large number of buildings and various access arrangements. From the information available the estimated average cost is between a 115.30 depending on what the pass is used for and its method of production. The figures we have available about the numbers of passes lost or stolen indicates that there were 233 in 200203 and 228 in 200304.

A303 (Stonehenge)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) the Stonehenge visitor centre and (b) the A303(T) Stonehenge tunnel project and Winterbourne Stoke bypass of his decision to delegate the funding decisions to south-west regional bodies.

David Jamieson: holding answer 4 February 2005
	TheSecretary of State for Transport, jointly with the First Secretary of State, is currently considering the Inspector's report of the inquiry into the A303 Stonehenge Improvement scheme.
	There are no plans to delegate decisions on transport schemes or their funding to regional bodies. Under the proposals in the consultation document Devolving decision making: a consultation on regional funding allocations the region would be invited to advise Ministers on the relative priority of transport investment proposals on the basis of long-term regional funding guidelines. Copies of the consultation document are available in the House Libraries.

Tyre Pressure Gauges

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the responsible authority for inspecting the calibration and accuracy of tyre pressure gauges on garage forecourts is; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The calibration and accuracy of tyre pressure gauges is not routinely checked by local authorities or departmental agencies. The National Weights and Measures Laboratory have responsibility for issuing type approvals to new types of mechanical tyre pressure gauges in accordance with European Directive 86/217/EEC. If EEC-verified mechanical gauges are placed on a UK garage forecourt they can be inspected by a local authority Trading Standards Officer and can be disqualified if found to be inaccurate or not in compliance with the approval.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Aquariums

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the animal welfare implications arising from the operation of aquaria, with particular reference to (a) the showing of abnormal and stereotypic behaviour, (b) the incidence of deformities and (c) the incidence of infections.

Elliot Morley: All zoos including aquaria are regulated under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, under which they are subject to a comprehensive licensing and inspection regime. The aims of the regime include maintaining appropriate standards of animal welfare and a suitable environment for the animals, as set out in the Secretary of State's Standards for Modern Zoo Practice.
	In addition, the Zoos Forum, the Government's advisers on zoo matters, have set up a working group which will be looking at developing possible research proposals in all aspects of the keeping of animals in zoos, including aquaria.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review her Department's policy on the issue of licences to farmers and other landowners for the destruction of badgers associated with outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: There are currently no plans to review the existing policy for issuing licences for culling badgers in order to prevent the spread of TB.
	However, we are prepared to consider a badger culling policy if evidence from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial, or from other research, suggests that it would be successful in reducing bovine TB in cattle, and that a cost-effective and acceptable policy could be developed and implemented.
	We are aware of the recently published results of badger culling research carried out in Ireland and have sought the advice of independent scientists on the relevance of the findings to the disease situation in Great Britain.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons her Department no longer publishes data on bovine tuberculosis infection rates in badgers.

Ben Bradshaw: Data on bovine tuberculosis infection rates in badgers culled in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) are being assessed by the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) and will be published at the end of the Trial. This decision follows advice from the RBCT independent statistical auditor who supported the ISG policy of withholding such data from immediate publication as it could compromise the future statistical integrity of the RBCT. The ISG is currently analysing data on the prevalence and pathology of TB in badgers collected as part of the RBCT and the RTA survey and will present these analyses in the peer-reviewed press when complete.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has conducted on public perception of the costs of the bovine tuberculosis control programme.

Ben Bradshaw: We sought views on cost sharing for the future as part of last year's consultation 'Preparing for a new GB Strategy on bovine TB'. In addition Defra has funded a survey, carried out by the University of Reading, into the monetary value society places on changes in the size of the badger population.
	The views submitted in response to the consultation exercise have been taken into account in developing the new bovine TB strategy. We aim to publish the new strategic framework very shortly.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account she takes of public perception of badgers in determining her policy on badger culling for the purpose of controlling bovine tuberculosis; and what measures she plans to inform the public of the (a) economic effects, (b) potential public health risks of bovine tuberculosis infection in badgers and (c) welfare implications for badgers.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra strives to ensure that its policies are based on the best available scientific evidence, and that they are cost-effective and sustainable. Any future decision on badger culling will need to take account of the way the general public perceives badgers and the acceptability of culling them to control TB in cattle. Views on wildlife management, including badger culling, were sought as part of Defra's consultation on a new long-term bovine tuberculosis (TB) strategy for Great Britain, during 2004. In addition Defra has funded a survey, carried out by the University of Reading, into the monetary value society places on changes in the size of the badger population. This will be available on the Defra website in due course.
	Defra aims to publish the new bovine TB Strategy framework shortly. This will set out a clear framework for decision making on bovine TB for the future, including decisions on matters such as badger culling. Disseminating information to the public will form part of the TB Strategy Implementation/Communications Plan.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her policy to support (a) a significant reduction in numbers of red deer in the Dulverton area and (b) the targeted culling of sick deer to reduce the spread of M. bovis infection.

Ben Bradshaw: Following wide consultation the Government recently produced an action plan for achieving the sustainable management of wild deer in England. Under this plan the management of local deer remains the responsibility of local deer managers, provided they meet the requirements of the Deer Act 1991 and the relevant welfare legislation.
	Through the Deer Initiative, Defra is funding a deer liaison officer to work with landowners on deer management issues in the South-West and to assist with disease surveillance in deer, including bovine tuberculosis (TB).
	Defra is currently considering the research required to increase our understanding of the role of deer in relation to bovine TB infection in cattle.

Bovine TB

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of pockets of M. bovis infection in deer for the health of (a) cattle and (b) other wildlife in the area.

Ben Bradshaw: We are aware that TB is present in wild deer in parts of Exmoor. This was a factor, together with the disease history of cattle herds and other wildlife, in the decision to test cattle herds for TB over most of Exmoor on an annual basis.

BSE

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made in identifying a BSE test capable of supporting British beef producers who plan to export to (a) Europe and (b) third countries.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 25 February 2005
	There are currently 11 tests for BSE approved by the EU. These tests are applied post-mortem to a brainstem sample.

Carbon Trust

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will publish on its website the annual accounts of the Carbon Trust since its inception, including (a) incoming revenue from all sources and (b) expenditure on specific programmes;
	(2)  what the expenditure of the Carbon Trust on external consultants was in the last year for which figures are available;
	(3)  what assessment has been made of the impact of the Carbon Trust in terms of annual carbon savings.

Margaret Beckett: The Carbon Trust is an independent company grant funded by Government. The trust publishes annual accounts on its website www.thecarbontrust.co.uk. As a private company expenditure on contracts held with external consultants is a matter for the Carbon Trust Board.
	The Carbon Trust's assessment of the impact of its programmes, including annual carbon savings, is published in its annual report, available on its website. All current climate change policies are being evaluated under the Climate Change Programme Review.

Climate Change

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates the Government has made of the change in global temperatures between 2004 and (a) 2014, (b) 2024 and (c) 2054.

Elliot Morley: Hadley Centre research for the Defra funded UK Climate Prediction Programme forecasts an increase in global temperature of between 0.170.53oC in the coming decade. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Third Assessment Report, stated that temperatures are predicted to increase by 0.41.1oC compared with 1990 levels by 2025, and 0.82.6oC compared with 1990 levels by 2050. Global temperatures have increased by just over 0.2oC since 1990.

Computers (Recycling/Disposal)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategies her Department has put in place to aid the reuse and recycling of old computers.

Elliot Morley: Defra has been closely involved in developing implementation proposals for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which requires producers of electrical equipment, including computers, to reuse or treat and recycle their products to target levels.

Computers (Recycling/Disposal)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of how many computers were disposed of in landfill in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: No estimate has been made of the numbers of computers disposed of in landfill in each of the last five years. However, industry figures suggest that 1,022,000 computers, 960,000 monitors and 627,000 laptops were disposed of by householders in 2003.

Co-operatives

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is considering to encourage the formation of co-operatives for the purposes of tier-two payments.

Alun Michael: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme that is due to be introduced shortly.
	Under the second tier of the scheme, known as higher level stewardship, we will be offering a supplementary payment for group applications. This recognises the extra costs involved in facilitating communal agreements, for example on areas of common land or shared grazing, or on areas under more than one ownership that need to be managed collectively for resource protection, inter-tidal flood management or wetland management.
	Full details of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme will be published later this week.

Date-based Export Scheme

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the Date Based Export Scheme to be lifted.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 25 February 2005
	Before beef export restrictions can be eased, there will need to be a further inspection visit from the EU's Food and Veterinary Office to check our BSE controls and our testing arrangements, a proposal from the European Commission to amend EU legislation, and agreement by other EU member states. Changes in export restrictions for beef from cattle born on or after 1 August 1996 are not expected before late 2005.

Energy Saving Trust

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will publish on its website the annual accounts of the Energy Saving Trust since its inception, including (a) incoming revenue from all sources and (b) expenditure on specific programmes;
	(2)  what the expenditure of the Energy Saving Trust on external consultants was in the last year for which figures are available;
	(3)  what assessment has been made of the impact of the Energy Saving Trust in terms of annual carbon savings.

Margaret Beckett: The Energy Saving Trust is an independent company grant funded by Government. The trust publishes an annual report on its website www.est.org.uk. As a private company expenditure on contracts held with external consultants is a matter for the Energy Saving Trust Board.
	The Energy Saving Trust's assessment of the impact of its programmes, including annual carbon savings, is published in its annual report, available on its website. All current climate change policies are being evaluated under the Climate Change Programme Review.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Milk and Milk Products met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Milk and Milk Products met:
	(a) 10 times during the Italian presidency, on 10 July, 24 July, 28 August, 11 September, 25 September, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 27 November, and 11 December 2003.
	(b) 12 times during the Irish presidency, on 15 January, 28 and 29 January, 12 February, 26 February, 11 March, 25 March, 15 April, 29 April, 13 May, 27 May, 10 June, and 24 June 2004.
	(c) 10 times during the Dutch presidency, on 15 July, 29 July, 26 August, 16 September, 30 September, 14 October, 28 October, 11 November, 25 November, and 16 December 2004.
	All but one of the meetings were held in Brussels. The meeting of 14 October 2004 held during the Dutch presidency took place in The Hague.
	The UK was represented by officials from Defra's Milk Branch, with representatives from the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland and the Rural Payments Agency attending occasionally when subjects of particular interest were discussed.
	At the meetings the UK has supported the measures taken by the Commission to balance Community milk and milk product markets while taking budgetary considerations into account.
	A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Beef and Veal met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Beef and Veal met:
	(a) 10 times during the Italian presidency, on 11 July (1DEFRA representative attended), 25 July (1), 29 August (1), 12 September (2), 26 September (1), 17 October (1), 31 October (1), 14 November (2), 28 November (2), and 12 December (2).
	(b) 10 times during the Irish presidency, on 16 January (2), 13 February (2), 27 February (2), 12 March (2), 25 March (2), 15 April (3), 29 April (1), 28 May (1), 11 June (1), and 22 June (2).
	(c) 7 times during the Dutch presidency, on 16 July (1), 30 July (2), 17 September (1), 27 September (1), 15 October (2), 26 November (1), and 17 December (1).
	All of the meetings were held in Brussels. The UK were represented by officials from the appropriate division of Defra. The number of representatives for each meeting is shown in brackets above.
	A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Sheep and Goats met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Sheep and Goats met:
	(a) Twice during the Italian presidency, on 21 November (1Defra representative attended) and on 12 December (2).
	(b) Once during the Irish presidency, on 13 February (2).
	(c) Twice during the Dutch presidency, on 16 July (1) and on 26 November (1).
	All meetings were held in Brussels. The UK were represented by officials from the appropriate division of Defra. The number of representatives for each meeting is shown in brackets above.
	A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Pigmeat met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Pigmeat met:
	(a) 5 times during the Italian presidency, on 15 July (2 Defra representatives attended, plus 1 expert), 17 September (1, plus 1 expert), 15 October (1), 18 November (1), and 15 December (1) 2003.
	(b) 6 times during the Irish presidency, on 23 January (2, plus 1 expert), 16 February (3), 15 March (2), 21 April (2), 19 May (2), and 22 June (2) 2004.
	(c) 5 times during the Dutch presidency, on 13 July (1), 14 September (2), 19 October (2), 16 November (1), and 14 December (1) 2004.
	All meetings were held in Brussels. The UK was represented by officials from Defra's Livestock Products Division (Pigs branch), and experts were from the Meat and Livestock Commission. The number of representatives for each meeting is outlined above.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Meetings of Management and/or regulatory Committees in the field of agriculturepromotion of agricultural products met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The Joint Management Committee for the Promotion of Agricultural Products met on the following dates:
	(a) During the Italian presidency:
	16 July 2003
	9 September 2003
	8 October 2003
	17 December 2003
	All meetings took place in Brussels and officials from Defra attended.
	(b) During the Irish presidency:
	4 February 2004
	24 March 2004
	12 May 2004*
	14 June 2004*
	All meetings took place in Brussels and officials from Defra attended. An official from the Rural Payments Agency also attended the meetings marked with an asterisk.
	(c) During the Dutch presidency:
	12 July 2004*
	15 September 2004*
	13 October 2004
	18 November 2004
	17 December 2004
	All meetings took place in Brussels and officials from Defra attended. An official from the Rural Payments Agency also attended the meetings marked with an asterisk.
	The Joint Committee for the Promotion of Agricultural Products was established in September 2000 following the introduction of Council Regulation (EC) 2702/1999 for the promotion of agricultural products in third countries. Council Regulation (EC) 2826/2000 which covers the promotion of agricultural products in the internal markets was introduced shortly afterwards. The regulations provide a framework for promoting Community agricultural produce through activities such as trade fairs, market research, advertising, information campaigns and fact finding visits.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee (i) for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress and implementation of the Directives on waste, (ii) on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste and (iii)for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC) for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) Directives met on the following 12 occasions: During the Italian presidency (from July to December 2003) 11 July, 16 September, 26 November, 17 December, during the Irish presidency (from January to June 2004) 27 January, 3 March, 17 March, 10 June, 28 June and during the Dutch presidency (from July to December 2004) 20 July, 22 October, 10 December. UK experts from Defra and DTI were present and a detailed summary of these discussions, including unofficial meeting notes, may be found on the internet at the following website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/index.htm
	TAC meetings for Packaging and Packaging Waste took place in Brussels during the Italian presidency on 30 October 2003 and included two UK experts, both from DTI. On 16 April 2004 a second meeting was held which included UK experts from both of DTI and Defra.
	There were no TAC meetings held in relation to End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) during the Italian presidency. During the Irish presidency two meetings were held on 14 January and 10 June 2004. During the Dutch presidency there was a single meeting held on 2 December 2004. In these instances a DTI official represented the UK.
	There were no meetings of the TAC on the sewage sludge Directive during the Italian, Irish or Dutch presidencies.

Flood Defence Committees

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the allocation of seats for regional flood defence committees.

Elliot Morley: Section 15 of the Environment Act 1995 provides that each English regional flood defence committee (RFDC) shall consist of:
	(a) a chairman and a number of other members appointed by the Secretary of State;
	(b) two members appointed by the Environment Agency;
	(c) a number of members appointed by or on behalf of the constituent councils to form a bare majority on the RFDC.
	In making her appointments, my right hon. Friend seeks to ensure that the profile of committee members forms a broad coverage of interests from the area including land drainage, planning, social, environmental and coastal issues; and also attempts where possible to achieve a balance on the committee in terms of geographical representation.
	Local authority representation is set by statutory instrument and we seek to allocate seatswhole or sharedto the constituent councils based upon council tax data (band D equivalent properties).
	Constituent councils are defined in section 15(6) of the Environment Act 1995 as, 'the councils of every county, county borough, metropolitan district, or London borough any part of which is in the area of a regional flood defence committee shall be the constituent councils for the regional flood defence committee for that area'. This therefore means that upper tier and unitary authorities are eligible for the local authority seats but not lower tier authorities such as district councils nor other bodies such as the Government office for the region concerned.

Flood Defence Committees

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the shared seat for City of York and North Yorkshire on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee will be occupied by a representative from (a) City of York and (b) North Yorkshire county council.

Elliot Morley: Section 16(8) of the Environment Act 1995 provides for the sharing of seats of constituent councils. Seat sharing is commonplace on regional flood defence committees (RFDCs) throughout the country and councils normally decide between themselves how this will be managed, for example operating an annual rota system. If councils are unable to agree, the appointments are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Non-voting members can attend meetings.
	I understand that the allocation of the seat shared between City of York and North Yorkshire on the Yorkshire RFDC has not yet been decided.

Flood Defence Projects

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the priority scoring system for flood defence funding;
	(2)  what criteria are used to score flood defence projects to determine whether they are eligible for funding; and what criteria must be met for such funding to be received.

Elliot Morley: Despite large increases in Government fundingup from 312 million in 199798 to 570 million in 200506there is still not enough to fund all worthwhile proposals from the flood and coastal defence operating authorities (the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards). Defra therefore operates an objective and published priority scoring system which is intended to direct our finite funds to best effect nationally, to maximise the benefit obtained from the programme as a whole.
	The current scoring system was introduced in 2003 after extensive consultation following a pilot introduced in 1997. In summary, proposed projects are scored on three elementstheir estimated economic benefits, the number of people they are likely to protect and protection and enhancement of environmental and/or heritage assets. All three are compared to cost so that projects are treated fairly regardless of size. The higher the score, the higher the priority.
	In order to be eligible for funding from Defra, projects must achieve Defra's published threshold score for the year in which they start. The threshold scores were last revised in November 2004 to take account of changes in operating authorities' investment plans. Because of an increased demand for grant nationally, the thresholds had to rise and are now 19 for projects to start in 200506 or 200607 and 15 in 2007 08.
	The scoring system has no effect on the overall sum available for grant aid. It does not attempt to allocate funding to projects in an absolute sense but simply to rank proposals in a relative priority order. Defra is then able to allocate its funding to projects in priority order. The actual threshold score which a project must achieve will depend on available funding compared to need nationally. The thresholds are set by analysis of forward plans provided to Defra by operating authorities each yearproposals for funding are compared with available funds and I set the lowest threshold that can be afforded for the following financial year, together with indicative estimates of the likely thresholds for the following two years. The latter are reviewed a year later in the light of updated authorities' plans.
	The threshold is the same for all projects and is applied broadly equally to all operating authorities. There can be exceptions such as for the very few projects required to protect environmental sites of international importance under the Habitats Directive but the amount of funding spent on these projects is low.

Flooding

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which body is responsible in the event of flooding in a watercourse for which an internal drainage board is responsible (a) before 2006 and (b) after 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: All watercourses effectively fall into one of two categories: (a) main rivers which are the responsibility of the Environment Agency and (b) ordinary watercourses which are the responsibility of local authorities or, where they exist, internal drainage boards.
	Recognising that some ordinary watercourses create significant flood risk, in March 2003 the Government announced that all the so called critical ordinary watercourses (COWs) would become the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA). This transfer of responsibility is in progress and will be completed by April 2006.
	Once a COW has been transferred, it becomes a main river and the EA assumes full responsibility for all associated flood risk management and for dealing with any flooding from it. However, all other ordinary watercourses will remain the responsibility of the local authority or internal drainage board.
	While the EA will retain the overall responsibility for the transferred COWs, they may decide to contract back maintenance and other work to the appropriate local authority or IDB where these bodies are willing to take this on and have a good track record.

Flooding

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to reduce flood risk in Chorley constituency.

Elliot Morley: Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk in England. We fund most of the Environment Agency (EA)'s flood risk activities and provide grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement works. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on what specific projects to do. The works programme to manage risk is driven by the operating authorities.
	I understand from the EA that they have undertaken or are undertaking the following in connection with the reduction of flood risk in Chorley:
	Capital Works
	Croston Flood Wallworks to improve unstable sections of the existing flood defence walls along the River Yarrow, through the village of Croston, were completed in May 2004 (out-turn cost 680,000).
	Revenue Works
	Heavy Maintenanceworks are programmed in March/April 2005 to replace and improve a critical debris screen at the entrance to a long culverted reach of the River Chor at Water Street, Chorley (estimated cost 30,000).
	Routine Maintenance for example: at pumping stations, flood embankment mowing, channel-desilting, screen clearance, channel debris removal and general upkeep of existing flood defences (estimated cost 80,000).
	Strategic Studies and Investigations
	A strategic study into flood risk management covering the River Douglas catchment area is nearing completion. This takes in the major tributaries of the Rivers Yarrow and Lostock and their Critical Ordinary Watercourse tributaries, which cover part of the Chorley constituency. The strategy study is an important stage in determining flood risk and how to manage it. It also helps the EA to decide on future, sustainable flood protection measures. The expected completion date for the study is July 2005 (estimated cost 135,000).
	This study has already highlighted that flood risk to Croston Village should be examined further. An investigation is now under way, the outcome of which will be a viability report for a Croston Village Flood Alleviation Scheme. The report should be completed by April 2005. Subject to the findings, a detailed feasibility study will be planned in the EA's medium/long-term programme, and improved flood risk management scheme options for the village will be considered.
	Investigations into extending the current Flood Warning service within the Chorley constituency are planned within the next three to five years, subject to detailed feasibility studies.

Fly-tipping

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much rubbish was dumped by fly-tipping in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three years.

Elliot Morley: No national data are currently available however, Flycapture, the national database for fly-tipping incidents was launched in April 2004. Flycapture data are currently being validated and will be made available once this process is complete.

Foot and Mouth

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent National Audit Office report on foot and mouth procedures; and what action she will take to impose more robust financial controls on compensation payments.

Ben Bradshaw: I welcome this Report and its recommendations and am pleased to see it reflects the progress the Department has made since 2001, particularly on contingency planning, improved dialogue with stakeholders, and improving the Department's capacity and preparedness for combating another major disease outbreak. Overall the NAO consider that the Department has implemented most of the actions promised to the Committee and has made good progress on the others since 2001. I understand there are some areas requiring further work, but the Department is aware of them and working to resolve them as soon as is practicable.
	We have already taken steps to control future costs of compensation for stock taken to control an outbreak of foot and mouth. These include the appointment of a new panel of valuers and four monitor valuers to ensure consistency, all of whom will be paid on a daily, rather than commission basis. Farmers will no longer appoint their own valuers.
	In the long-term it is our aim to rationalise compensation arrangements for all notifiable animal diseases. As a first stage, we aim to rationalise the compensation arrangements for four cattle diseases, namely bovine TB, brucellosis, enzootic bovine leukosis and BSE, later this year. FMD compensation will be examined in the second round as this will require changes to primary legislation

Gangmaster (Licensing) Act

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with gangmasters on the implications of the Gangmaster (Licensing) Act 2004 for their supply chains.

Alun Michael: Both I and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Food and Farming have met representatives of the Association of Labour Providers and individual labour providers on several occasions to discuss the implications of the Gangmaster (Licensing) Act 2004. We have also attended meetings of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority Consultative Committee, which includes representatives of the Association of Labour Providers and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. A wide range of matters connected with the implementation of the Gangmaster (Licensing) Act and the establishment of the Licensing Authority was discussed at these meetings.
	The Government welcomes the constructive role that labour providers and other stakeholder organisations have played in relation to the introduction of the new licensing arrangements. We look forward to maintaining this close relationship as the detail of the licensing scheme is developed and will ensure labour providers will continue to be consulted fully before the arrangements are finalised. We remain on course to establish the Gangmaster (Licensing) Authority in April and hope to be able to start processing licence applications before the end of the year.

Land Degradation

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to reverse long-term land degradation.

Elliot Morley: A wide range of measures address land condition. Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 was brought into force in April 2000 to address in particular the legacy of historic contamination, where this poses unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Local authorities are now identifying contaminated land in their area, and ensuring that appropriate remedial action is taken.
	Such remediation also takes place as part and parcel of the development of land, and is secured through the planning system, which aims to encourage the redevelopment and beneficial re-use of previously developed land. Last autumn, new planning guidance (PPS23Planning and Pollution Control) was issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which aims to assist in the remediation of contaminated land through the process of development. A new Land Restoration Trust has been set up.
	We have published a Soil Action Plan to help tackle the various risks and threats to soil. The plan is informed by key European initiatives such as the Water Framework Directive and work towards a European Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection. The EU Thematic Strategy identifies contamination, erosion and organic matter as three priority issues for soils and is also developing overarching plans for soil monitoring and R and D.
	Under the Single Payment Scheme land managers are required to demonstrate that they are keeping the land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). GAEC standards, set specifically for England, apply to soil management and protection and to the maintenance of habitats and landscape features.
	In the built environment soil degradation and erosion caused by construction activities can be a serious issue, particularly in terms of pollution of water resources. Defra is working with the construction industry to identify and address gaps in knowledge.
	Within the suite of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), notified for their conservation importance in England, degraded habitats will be addressed by our PSA target to have 95 per cent. of the SSSI area in favourable condition by 2010.
	Defra will shortly be launching the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme which will replace the existing Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes. The new scheme will focus on natural resource protection, in addition to the primary objectives of the existing schemes, namely wildlife conservation; maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality and character; protection of the historic environment; and the promotion of access of the countryside. This will include measures to help protect watercourses and sensitive habitats by reducing diffuse pollution and soil erosion.

Recycling

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the responsibility of Chorley council to provide recycling facilities.

Elliot Morley: Government have set each local authority in England Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting of household waste for 200304 and 200506. In addition, the Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 requires waste collection authoritiessubject to certain exemptionsto provide a kerbside collection service of at least two recyclable materials by 2010. It is local authorities' responsibility to decide the type of recycling facilities that should be provided, taking into account local circumstances, to help them meet the Standards and the requirements of the Act.

Rural Bus Services

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was given in grants to rural bus services by the Countryside Agency in each year since 1997; and what plans she has to continue such grants.

Margaret Beckett: The Countryside Agency has undertaken a variety of time-linked pilot programmes on behalf of Government and has contributed to rural bus services on our behalf through the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes. The Agency's database does not record information to distinguish funding for rural bus services from other grants to support other local transport needs within those schemes. Information about grants made in 199798, made by the Countryside Agency's predecessor, the Countryside Commission, is no longer available.
	In 200405, the Department for Transport is making 51 million available for rural bus services through Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to bus companies and local authorities to maintain services which would otherwise be uneconomic. This is an increase from 48.5 million in 200304. The Department for Transport's annual Rural Bus Challenge competitions have also made a total of 301 awards amounting to 110 million over the last six years.
	Since 1999 grants given each year to local transport initiatives in rural areas through the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport Grant schemes are as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  Rural transport partnership scheme(1) Parish transport scheme(1) Total 
		
		
			 199899 (1)0.3 (1)1.6 (1)1.9 
			 19992000 (1)1.3 (1)2.0 (1)3.3 
			 200001 (1)2.8 (1)2.0 (1)4.8 
			 200102 7.1 0.3 7.4 
			 200203 13.1 0.9 14.0 
			 200304 12.5 1.0 13.5 
			 200405 (2) (2) (3)11.3 
			 Total   (3)56.2 
		
	
	(1)Funding until 2001 from the Countryside Commission's Rural Transport Partnership scheme and Rural Transport Development Fund.
	(2)Figure not yet available.
	(3)To date.
	On 1 April 2004, the Countryside Agency closed the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes to new grant applications although existing commitments will continue to be met.
	From 1 April 2005, Defra will devolve delivery of economic and social regeneration policies to the Regional Development Agencies. This includes areas of activity such as those formerly covered by the Countryside Agency's transport schemes. We have also charged the Regional Development Agencies with contributing to the delivery of our Public Service Agreement target to improve the accessibility of services for people in rural England. In recognition of their larger role in the delivery of Defra's policies, Defra has given the Regional Development Agencies an additional 21.3 million per annum for the years 200506 to 200708.
	We are discussing with the Regional Development Agencies what they will deliver and how it will be measured, to be included in their Tasking Framework. Defra expects them, in partnership with local government and others, to ensure that the needs of people in rural communities are addressed, through regional level strategies and delivery. But it will be for each Development Agency to determine the priorities for its region and, through their corporate plans, how they will achieve their agreed outcomes.

Salt Marshes (Lymington)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects a specific defence option to protect the salt marshes of Lymington from erosion to be approved; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. Defra funds most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. To qualify for Defra funding proposals must satisfy essential technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieve the relevant priority score for the year in which work is programmed to start.
	The Government encourages operating authorities to take a strategic approach to the provision of flood and coastal defences and they are required to consider a range of defence options. New Forest district council (NFDC), the local coast protection authority, is currently undertaking the West Solent Strategy Study and the area covered extends from Hurst Spit to Calshot Spit including the Lymington salt marsh. NFDC is, I understand, carrying out a public consultation exercise that will inform the options to be evaluated in the study.
	NFDC's medium term plan includes work planned in Lymington where the council propose to reduce the rate of salt marsh erosion but I hope you understand that, until the West Solent Strategy Study is complete and until the council has submitted proposals for coast protection work in Lymington, I cannot comment on options for work.

Timber

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the US based Sustainable Forest Initiative has been endorsed by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Elliot Morley: The Sustainable Forest Initiative was assessed in October 2004 to determine if its certification scheme provides assurance of legal and sustainable timber as defined in the Government's model contract terms and conditions.
	The Government has concluded that SFI's forest management standards and chain of custody system do meet the Government's contract criteria for assurance of legal harvesting but do not provide the required assurance of Sustainable forest management. The issue for the Government is not with SFI's forest management standards, which were found to be adequate, but with the chain of custody system which does not enable the consumer to determine the percentage of certified timber in the finished product. The Government could accept a combination of an SFI certificate and additional verification of the certified timber element but, as matters stand, a certificate alone would not suffice. Action to Implement this assessment will be effective from May 2005.
	The full report on the five main certification schemes assessed can be found on the sustainable development in Government website at: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/improving/pdf/f-cpet.pdf

Waste Tips

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers the Environment Agency has to close tips which cause a nuisance for local residents.

Elliot Morley: Landfill sites can be closed in the following circumstances:
	(i) When the conditions specified in the landfill permit are satisfied (eg the site is full);
	(ii) When the Environment Agency approves the initiation of the closure procedures following a request from the operator; or
	(iii) By a reasoned decision of the Environment Agency to initiate closure procedures (eg because the requirements of the landfill permit are not being met).
	In circumstances where the Environment Agency has taken a reasoned decision in accordance with (iii) above, the agency shall serve a closure notice on the operator of the landfill setting out its reasons for requiring closure. Clearly, adverse impact on the local environment/residents may constitute one of those reasons.

Yorkshire Flood Defence Committee

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the City of York will receive an individual seat on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee.

Elliot Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 24 January 2005, Official Report, column 9W. The local authority representation on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee remains as stated.

Yorkshire Flood Defence Committee

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many rural flood defence projects are funded by the priority scoring system.

Elliot Morley: Defra's priority is to maximise the protection of people and assets in relation to the funding available. While there is no bias in the priority score system against rural projects, it is however true that projects are less likely to go ahead in sparsely populated areas as these will tend to score less highly than projects which protect larger numbers of people or higher asset values for a given cost. Most of the components making up the priority score of a given project are compared to cost so the crucial measurement is on benefits per unit cost and not on the absolute benefits of proposals. This ensures smaller projects are considered on an equal footing to larger ones.
	We do not classify projects by urban or rural location and often the distinction will not be clear. We could not seek to gather this information without incurring disproportionate cost. As explained in my letter of 11 February to the hon. Member, I have placed in the House Library a list of improvement projects in England approved since May 1997, or which were approved earlier but received funding after that date.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Zimbabwe

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe.

Chris Mullin: We have made it clear that we look to Zimbabwe to comply in full with the South African Development Council electoral principles. We are concerned that the environment still falls woefully short of meeting this. Media, opposition and civil society in Zimbabwe need to be able to operate without fear of violence and intimidation. The intimidation of media and the break-up of an MDC training session earlier this month suggests otherwise.

Sri Lanka

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka to discuss the current political situation.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the political situation in Sri Lanka with the President and Foreign Minister in the course of last year. He is looking looking forward to meeting the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister again in London this month.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development also visited Sri Lanka in January this year.

Cyprus

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Cyprus.

Denis MacShane: The Government's objective remains the reunification of Cyprus, and we continue to support all efforts to achieve this aim in a manner that is fair, viable and lasting for the benefit of all Cypriots. It is in this context that we welcome the continued strong support for settlement and re-unification among Turkish Cypriots as reflected in the outcome of their elections on 20 February.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Turkish Cypriot elections on 20 February.

Bill Rammell: We believe this outcome reflects the Turkish Cypriot Community's on-going desire to work for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Annan Plan and to realise in full the benefits of EU membership.

Kashmir

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Pakistan concerning the situation in Kashmir.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of Kashmir with his Pakistani and Indian counterparts during his visit to both countries earlier this month. More broadly, they discussed progress in the on-going composite dialogue between India and Pakistan. The Foreign Secretary particularly welcomed the announcement that was made on 16 February of a bus link between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar.

China

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions on human rights he has had with the Government of China.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues in his meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing on 21 January. He encouraged China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), called for progress in the reform of China's re-education through Labour system and lobbied on behalf of several individual cases of concern.

European Constitution

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of ratification of the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the European Union.

Denis MacShane: Each member state will ratify the Treaty according to their own constitutional procedures. Three member states, Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia, have already ratified the proposed Constitutional Treaty. Spain approved the Treaty in its referendum on 20 February. A referendum will be held in the Netherlands on 1 June. In the UK, the EU Bill was introduced on 25 January and had its Second Reading on 9 February.

Sudan

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with Sudan.

Chris Mullin: The UK has full diplomatic relations with Sudan. The Government regularly meets leaders of the major political parties and was heavily involved in negotiations of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed on 9 January 2005. We are committed to helping the parties implement the agreement. We continue to press strongly the Government of Sudan and the rebels to resolve the conflict in Darfur peacefully, within the framework of the CPA.

Sudan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) European Union and (b) African Union counterparts on how to ensure the safety of aid workers in Sudan.

Chris Mullin: I would like to apologise for the delay in replying.
	We are greatly concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and deplore the recent deaths of the Save the Children UK and Medecins Sans Frontires aid workers.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the African Union (AU) Chairman, President Obasanjo on 22 December. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and I met, separately, with AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Said Djinnet, in London on 21 December. We are working with the AU, both bilaterally and through the EU, to improve security in Darfur for aid workers and the civilian population.
	We also regularly raise the issue of security, and the resultant effects on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with EU partners. The Foreign Secretary last discussed this issue with EU counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 December.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Sudanese Government on clemency in the case of Nagune Idin Abdallah, who is sentenced to death.

Chris Mullin: We regularly press the Sudanese Government to abolish the death penalty. We discussed Mr. Abdallah's case at the joint Sudan-EU human rights dialogue meeting on 24 February 2005, during which the Government agreed to provide further information on his case. We will continue to pursue this and other such cases in Sudan through our embassy in Khartoum.

Iraq

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the establishment and growth of local women's organisations in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: Since the fall of Saddam regime, more than 1,500 non-governmental organisations including women's groups have registered with the Iraqi Government. Following a Department for International Development study in 2004, DFID has supported projects encouraging Iraqi women to vote, and to increase their awareness of the political process as well as fostering partnerships between international women's organisations and national women's groups.

Iraq

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on investigations being undertaken by OLAF concerning illegal exports to Iraq indicating (a) what types of material are subject to investigation, (b) what the country of origin was of each type of material, (c) what the nationality is of those persons under investigation and (d) what the dates were of the alleged incidents; what the nature is of UK participation in the inquiries; and what involvement Communities staff have had in the inquiries.

Denis MacShane: We are not aware of any investigations currently being undertaken by OLAF concerning illegal exports to Iraq.

Iraq

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations were held following the loss of nuclear material held by Iraq after the first Gulf War; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted thorough investigations into Iraq's nuclear weapons programme and made a full inventory of Iraq's known holdings of nuclear material in the 1990s. They reported to the UN regularly on their activities.
	Following reports of looting in the aftermath of the recent conflict, IAEA inspectors conducted an inventory check in June 2003, and reported that, although some uranium compounds could have been dispersed, they were not of a quantity or type sensitive from a proliferation point of view.
	Subsequently, as part of their regular inspections under Iraq's nuclear safeguards agreement, IAEA inspectors visited the al-Tuwaitha site in August 2004, on which occasion they confirmed that no nuclear materials subject to IAEA safeguards were unaccounted for.
	Reports received in October 2004 concerning the disappearance of large amounts of high explosives and other dual-use materials are being investigated by the Iraq Survey Group. No nuclear material is reported as missing. We expect them to publish a report on their findings shortly as an addendum to their October 2004 comprehensive report.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds the Government have refused to publish the letters of Dr.Rod Barton of the Iraq Survey Group concerning weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Denis MacShane: The Government have not received any formal request to publish Dr. Barton's letters.

United States

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed nuclear proliferation with his US counterparts.

Denis MacShane: Nuclear proliferation is an issue that is always on the agenda for discussions with my US counterparts, and was last discussed during the visit of Dr. Condoleeza Rice on 4 February.

Libya

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Libya.

Bill Rammell: Libya's decisions to formally accept responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing, renounce terrorism and take action to dismantle its Weapons of Mass Destruction development programmes have been important and welcome developments.
	We are developing further our political, cultural and commercial ties, while continuing to seek progress on the issues of difference that remain between us.

China (Military Technology)

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assurances he gave to US Senator Lugar regarding EU restrictions on arms sales to prevent sensitive US technologies being diverted to China.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 28 February 2005
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Senator Lugar, in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, during his visit to Washington on 24 January. They briefly discussed the EU's controls on arms exports to China.
	With regard to the ongoing review of the EU's arms embargo on China, the Foreign Secretary noted the conclusion reached at the European Council in December 2004 That
	the result of any decision should not be an increase of arms exports from EU Member States to China, either in quantative nor in qualitative terms.
	As the Foreign Secretary told the Committee on Strategic Export Controls on 12 January, the US has a legitimate and understandable interest both in the effectiveness of the EU's system of arms control and in the stability of the East Asian region. The review of the EU Arms Embargo, and any decisions arising from it are, of course, for the EU alone. But the EU will take all relevant factors into account.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on (a) new furniture and (b) hired furniture in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The Department has spent the following amount on new furniture, including freight costs and domestic equipment, since 1997:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199798 17.7 
			 199899 14.9 
			 19992000 17.7 
			 200001 16.0 
			 200102 15.0 
			 200203 13.0 
			 200304 10.0 
		
	
	The Department does not normally hire furniture for permanent use.
	The costs of hiring furniture for temporary use cannot be separately identified.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Council (EECCountries of the Gulf Co-operation Council) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: During this period, the EU-GCC Joint Council met on 17 May 2004 in Brussels. The UK was represented by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Committee (EECYemen) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: During this period, the EC-Yemen Joint Co-operation Committee met on 67 October 2003 in Sana'a. The UK was represented by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official.

EU Presidency

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what dates have been agreed for meetings of (a) the European Council and (b) configurations of the Council of the European Union during the UK presidency of the European Union.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 25 February 2005
	During the UK Presidency of the EU the following provisional dates have been agreed for:
	(a) European Council:
	2728 October 2005 and 1516 December 2005.
	(b) Councils of the European Union:
	General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC)
	1819 July
	2425 October
	2122 November
	1213 December
	ECOFIN
	1213 July
	11 October
	8 November
	24 November
	6 December
	Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)
	26 July
	1314 October
	12 December
	Agriculture and Fisheries
	1819 July
	1920 September
	2425 October
	2224 November
	1921 December
	Transport, Telecom and Energy
	67 October
	12 December
	Competitiveness
	11 October
	2829 November
	Education, Youth and Culture
	1415 November
	Environment
	17 October
	5 December
	Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
	34 November
	89 December
	A copy of the official calendar of the UK Presidency of the EU has been placed in the Library of the House.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress of the recent discussions between the UK and Spain concerning Gibraltar.

Bill Rammell: Following my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's joint statement on Gibraltar with his Spanish counterpart on 27 October 2004, representatives of the UK, Gibraltar and Spanish Governments met on 89 December 2004 to agree modalities for a new, trilateral forum. A first meeting of the new forum was held on 11 February 2005. These talks covered a range of issues including telecoms, the airport, nuclear submarines and delays at the border crossing with Spain.

Religious Organisations (EC Funding)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those religious organisations that are in receipt of financial support from the European Communities.

Denis MacShane: The Commission does not provide core funding for any religious organisations. Some cross-faith bodies and religious linked NGOs have received EU grants to carry out specific projects.
	The Commission does not maintain a list of religious organisations to which grants have been made, but selected projects for 2003 and 2004 can be found at the following URLs:
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education_culture/ong/sele2004.pdf
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/education_culture/ong/sele2003.pdf
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/subvention/doc/subv-sg-accordees_2003_en.pdf

Russia

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds his Department has allocated for programmes to help the sharing of information and experience to support the institutional framework for civil society in Russia.

Bill Rammell: This financial year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has spent over 900,000 on projects that cover human rights, governance and democracy issues in Russia. The aim is to have a positive impact on the development of civil society in Russia.
	One of the larger projects is being implemented with the help of the Novosibirsk School of Civic Society and aims to improve the interaction between local government and local media.
	Another, co-funded with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, is contributing to the process of reform of regional-level public administration, intended to improve standards in public life.
	Funding for financial year 200506 is currently under discussion. The focus in Russia will be on increasing respect for the rule of law and freedom of expression, both of which are critical to developing civil society.

Somalia

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government are providing to the exiled Somali Government to enable it to return to Mogadishu.

Chris Mullin: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) on 23 February 2005, Official Report, column 664W.

Somalia

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between the Government and international partners regarding the prospects for (a) stabilisation and (b) the establishment of an effective government in Somalia.

Chris Mullin: We are working closely with the international community in Nairobi and with our EU partners to support the Somalia National Reconciliation process, which created new Transitional Federal institutions. We continue to support the early return of the Transitional Federal Government to Somalia, and to assist it with internal reconciliation and the restoration of good governance, stability and the rule of law.

South Africa

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations there have been into the loss of decommissioned nuclear weapons and related material and equipment following South Africa's abandonment of its nuclear weapons programme; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Upon accession to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1991, South Africa submitted an initial report providing a full inventory of its nuclear materials. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted a number of inspections to verify the completeness of South Africa's report. They concluded that there was no evidence that the inventory was incomplete.
	In 1993, however, the then South African Prime Minister F. W. de Klerk revealed that South Africa had been pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in the 1970s and 1980s, but that this programme had been abandoned in 1989. A team of IAEA technical experts travelled to South Africa in April 1993 to assess whether South Africa had indeed abandoned its programme. They found nothing that was inconsistent with South Africa's declaration.
	Subsequently, under South Africa's nuclear safeguards agreement with the IAEA, inspectors have carried out regular checks to ensure that there has been no diversion of nuclear materials. They have not reported any discrepancy to the IAEA Board of Governors. A further reassurance is provided by the adoption by South Africa of an Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement.

Togo

Parmjit Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Togo; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We are concerned about the events following the death of President Gnassingbe Eyadema. We have urged the Togolese authorities to hold early credible and democratic presidential elections. We support the stance taken by the African Union and Economic Community of West African States, who are pressing the Togolese authorities to adhere to their constitution.

Tsunami

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many bodies of British victims of the tsunami have been (a) identified and (b) repatriated.

Chris Mullin: As at 16.00 on 23 February, we have confirmed that 65 British nationals died in the tsunami. Of those, 35 have been repatriated to the UK. The discrepancy is explained by the fact that some bodies await repatriation, others were either buried or cremated locally, and some were resident in third countries, to where they have been repatriated.

Tsunami

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the time taken to identify the British victims of the tsunami; and what assessment he has made of the merits of using fingerprinting instead of DNA testing.

Chris Mullin: We are aware that delays in identifying victims adds to the distress of the families concerned. But there can be no short cuts in the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process and, even when bodies are found, the process of formally identifying them can be difficult and lengthy. More details of the process can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, www.fco.gov.uk/tsunami.
	The police have considered the merits of the three main ways in which bodies may be identified. Dental records, fingerprints and DNA may each be of value, either separately or in conjunction. The approach is decided on a case-by-case basis, because the precise value of each method depends on factors such as the condition of the body and the availability of ante mortem data. Most matches so far have been based on dental records.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK was represented at the recent launch of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change in Uganda.

Chris Mullin: The UK was represented at the launch of the Forum for Democratic Change's (FDC) new headquarters and its party platform by officials from our High Commission in Kampala.
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials in London and Kampala are in regular contact with the FDC leadership and have a productive working relationship.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of support by President Museveni for Robert Mugabe's land policies.

Chris Mullin: Our High Commissioner in Uganda met with President Museveni on 16 November and made clear the Government's views on land reform in Zimbabwe. He also expressed our disappointment at the comments made by the Ugandan President while on his visit to Zimbabwe.

TREASURY

Babies (Mortality Rate)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate was for babies born prematurely with a birth weight of (a) less than 1500g and (b) less than 2500g in each year since 1975.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Lansley, dated 1 March 2005
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the mortality rate was for babies born prematurely with a birth weight of (a) less than l,500g and (b) less than 2,500g in each year since 1975. (218112)
	The Office for National Statistics does not collect information on gestation at birth registration. Information on mortality rates of babies born prematurely is therefore not available.
	The attached table shows numbers and rates of infant deaths for babies weighing (a) under l,500g and (b) under 2,500g for the years 1978 to 2003. Data prior to 1978 are not readily available.
	
		Infant deaths by birthweight (a) less than 1,500g and (b) less than 2,500g in England and Wales, numbers and rates: 1978 to 2003
		
			  (a) Under 1,500 grams (b) Under 2,500 grams 
			  Number (4)Rate Number (4)Rate 
		
		
			 1978 2,106 474.0 3,689 94.5 
			 1979 2,226 485.9 3,875 95.0 
			 1980 2,075 427.3 3,639 85.8 
			 1981 1,633 345.7 2,850 72.1 
			 1982 1,581 331.3 2,691 67.4 
			 1983 1,763 332.3 2,919 69.4 
			 1984 1,752 315.4 2,847 66.8 
			 1985 1,783 302.2 2,899 64.9 
			 1986 1,839 302.4 2,988 65.3 
			 1987 1,900 292.1 2,944 63.3 
			 1988 1,967 302.1 3,046 66.7 
			 1989 1,744 266.4 2,650 58.9 
			 1990 1,673 257.4 2,476 53.8 
			 1991 1,608 248.4 2,378 51.3 
			 1992 1,593 239.8 2,237 49.9 
			 1993 1,590 236.9 2,191 49.3 
			 1994 1,605 220.3 2,155 47.7 
			 1995 1,680 221.5 2,277 48.1 
			 1996 1,800 227.3 2,380 50.4 
			 1997 1,787 227.0 2,368 49.6 
			 1998 1,698 219.4 2,231 47.0 
			 1999 1,714 214.7 2,212 46.9 
			 2000 1,595 211.7 2,092 45.7 
			 2001 1,517 202.9 2,004 44.4 
			 2002 1,494 200.4 1,963 42.7 
			 2003 1,580 199.3 2,073 43.6 
		
	
	(4)Rates per 1,000 live births
	Source:
	Monitor Series DH3 'Infant, childhood and perinatal mortality' (19781985) Series DH3 'Mortality statistics: Childhood, infant and perinatal' (19862002) Health Statistics Quarterly, No. 24, Winter 2004, pages 6670 (2003)

Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policies his Department has in place for supporting employees with cancer.

Stephen Timms: The Treasury has in place formal policies for managing sickness absence, and has a positive policy on disability, which also applies to staff suffering from cancer. The Treasury provides for a wide range of alternative working patterns, temporary reduced working hours and amendment to working patterns, part-time working as a result of sickness, home working and other rehabilitation support including workload and role adjustments for staff with health problems.

Child Trust Fund

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue will compel investment in an investment of the Revenue's choice in the event that an Islamic parent cannot find an investment vehicle for the child trust fund that complies with Islamic beliefs.

Stephen Timms: Parents have 12 months from the date of the issue of their Child Trust Fund vouchers in which to open an account for their child.
	The Government are concerned that all children should have the opportunity to have a Child Trust Fund account so, if an account is not opened within 12 months, the Inland Revenue will open a Stakeholder Child Trust Fund account for the child. The Stakeholder Child Trust Fund is a low-cost, risk-controlled, equities-based account, from which parents can transfer at any time to a provider of their own choice.
	The Government very much hopes that parents will be able to find Shari'a compliant investments either by choosing appropriate funds through an approved stockbroker or through a specially-designed Shari'a compliant account as the market develops over the coming months.
	The CTF regulations were specifically designed to ensure Shari'a accounts could be developed to give market operators flexibility to meet a full range of investment requirements.

Deaths (Civil Registration)

John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to make available to the financial sector details on deaths known to civil registration authorities.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Registrar General for England and Wales. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Dr. John Pugh, dated 1 March 2005
	As Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on plans to make available death registration information to the financial sector. (218450)
	The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 is quite specific as to the means of access to records of deaths held by the Registrar General and by registration officers. The Act gives persons the right to search the indexes in order to identify the entries they are looking for and to obtain certified copies (certificates) on payment of the statutory fee. Neither the Registrar General nor registration officers have any powers to disclose or share information in any other way.
	Proposals in the form of the draft Regulatory Reform (Registration of Births and Deaths) (England and Wales) Order 2004, presented to Parliament on 22 July 2004, contained a draft provision that would have enabled the Registrar General to provide list cleaning services to financial sector companies in relation to death registrations. The House of Commons' Regulatory Reform Committee and House of Lords' Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, whose first scrutiny reports were published in December 2004, decided that the draft Order should not proceed to its second stage of scrutiny as it was an inappropriate use of the order-making powers in the Regulatory Reform Act 2001. The Government is now considering its next steps for modernisation of the civil registration service.
	We continue to meet and discuss with representative Private Sector Bodies how this issue can be addressed.

Economic Growth

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on trends in economic growth in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 1 March 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about economic growth in the Jarrow, South Tyneside, the North East and the UK. I am replying in his absence. (218253)
	Jarrow constituency is in Tyneside (NUTS3 area), which is currently the lowest geographic level at which regional Gross Value Added 1 (GVA) is published.
	The GVA estimates in table A and GVA growth rates in tableB are based on regional GVA published in December 2004. Regional GVA data are at current prices and therefore do not take inflation into account. GVA for the United Kingdom and North East (NUTS1 area) have been published up to 2003. GVA for Tyneside (NUTS3 area) has been published up to 2002. These dataare available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=7359
	1 Information presented here is Gross Value Added (GVA) which is Gross Domestic Product (GDP) less taxes (plus subsidies) on products.
	
		Table A: Gross Value Added ( million) 19972003
		
			 Area 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Tyneside 8,680 9,181 9,568 9,982 10,625 11,211 n/a 
			 North East 25,253 26,219 26,959 27,910 29,287 30,655 32,340 
			 United Kingdom 719,565 761,539 797,116 838,490 881,163 926,275 976,148 
		
	
	
		Table B: Percentage year on year growth of Gross Value Added 19982003
		
			 Area 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Tyneside 5.8 4.2 4.3 6.4 5.5 n/a 
			 North East 3.8 2.8 3.5 4.9 4.7 5.5 
			 United Kingdom 5.8 4.7 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.4

Employment Statistics

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the average age of women employed within the (a) manufacturing and (b) service sector was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the average age of people employed within the (a) manufacturing industry and (b) service sector was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii)the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(3)  how many women have been employed within the (a) manufacturing industry and (b) service sector in (i)Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 1 March 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about employment. (218249, 218250, 218251)
	Tables 1 to 3 provide the available information. In the cases of the tables for average ages of women and of all employees, figures are available for the years 1999 to 2004 but not for 1997 and 1998.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the Labour Force Survey are subject to sampling variability.
	
		Table 1: Women employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas thousands -- Thousand
		
			 12 months ending February 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Manufacturing sector(5) 
			 Jarrow Constituency 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 
			 South Tyneside 4 4 4 3 2 3 3 2 
			 North East 55 55 52 47 41 46 44 37 
			 United Kingdom 1,253 1,277 1,271 1,162 1,115 1,119 1,046 950 
			  
			 Service sector(5) 
			 Jarrow Constituency 12 13 13 14 13 14 15 14 
			 South Tyneside 23 22 22 23 23 23 25 25 
			 North East 393 391 389 398 411 418 421 431 
			 United Kingdom 8,979 9,389 9,599 9,601 9,924 10,209 10,380 10,547 
		
	
	(5)Manufacturing and service sectors are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992
	Note:
	Some of these estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 2: Average age of women employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas -- Years(7)
		
			 12 months ending February 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Manufacturing sector(6)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 35 41 38 37 39 39 
			 South Tyneside 35 39 37 39 39 42 
			 North East 36 37 37 38 38 40 
			 United Kingdom 38 38 38 39 39 40 
			
			 Service sector(6)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 36 37 39 39 39 39 
			 South Tyneside 38 38 39 38 38 39 
			 North East 38 38 39 38 39 39 
			 United Kingdom 38 38 38 39 39 39 
		
	
	(6)Manufacturing and service sectors.
	(7)Ages are given in completed years are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.
	Note:
	Some of these estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 3: Average age of all employees in the manufacturing and service sectors in selected areas -- Years(9)
		
			 12 months ending February 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Manufacturing sector(8)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 37 37 37 38 40 42 
			 South Tyneside 37 37 38 39 40 43 
			 North East 38 37 39 39 39 40 
			 United Kingdom 39 39 39 40 40 40 
			
			 Service sector(8)   
			 Jarrow Constituency 36 38 39 39 39 38 
			 South Tyneside 38 38 38 38 38 38 
			 North East 38 38 38 38 38 39 
			 United Kingdom 38 38 38 38 39 39 
		
	
	(8)Manufacturing and service sectors are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1992.
	(9)Ages are given in completed years.
	Note:
	Some of these estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a higher degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially, should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey

EU Budget

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the EC draft budget for 2005 to be completed.

Stephen Timms: The 2005 EC budget was adopted by the European Parliament, following conciliation with the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, on 16 December 2004.

EU Communications

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what budget was allocated for EU Communications in each of the past five financial years; and what is budgeted for the next financial year.

Stephen Timms: The annual budget of the European Communities details the resources allocated to EU Communications each calendar year. Copies of the EC budgets for 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are available in the Library of the House. The 2005 EC budget will be deposited following its publication which is expected in March.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Customs Co-operation Sub-committee (i) EEC-Korea, (ii) EEC-United States of America and (iii) EEC-Israel met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Customs Co-operation CommitteeEEC-Andorra met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The committees are the responsibility of the European Commission. Member states are not involved.

European Constitution

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2005, Official Report, column 701W, on the European Constitution, when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget for informing the public about the EU and the EU constitutional treaty was agreed with the Treasury; and what methodology was used to calculate the budget.

Stephen Timms: For the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the 2002 spending review set an overall resource budget of 1,503 million and an overall capital budget of 136 million for 200405. Decisions on allocations from within these totals are for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

European Constitution

Kate Hoey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list budgets the Treasury has agreed with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for financial year 200405 which could be used to fund the provision of public information on the EU constitution.

Stephen Timms: The 2002 Spending Review set the Foreign and Commonwealth Office an overall resource budget of 1,503 million and an overall capital budget of 136 million for 200405. Decisions on allocations from within these totals are a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Health Expenditure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the UK's GDP was spent on health in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) public and (b) private expenditure; and what estimate he has made of the current EU average health expenditure as a proportion of GDP.

Paul Boateng: The information about UK health spending is in the following table.
	According to the latest figures from the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), average total health expenditure in the EU in 2002 was 8.5 per cent. of GDP.
	
		UK Health expenditure as a percentage of GDP
		
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Public Expenditure 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.6 6.0 6.3 6.7 6.9 
			 Private expenditure 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 
			 Total UK expenditure 6.7 6.8 6.8 7.0 7.3 7.7 8.1 8.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The public expenditure figures are taken from the National Statistics release of 2 December 2004.
	2.Private spending is calculated in a similar way as for ONS Health Accounts. From 200304, it is assumed to carry forward as a constant share of GDP.
	3.The EU figure is a simple average of the then 15 EU countries; it is not weighted by country population.

Malaria Vaccines

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreements with the private sector he has reachedsince his announcement on 24 November 2004 on the advance purchases of malaria vaccines; and what deadline he has set for these agreements to be reached.

Stephen Timms: The Chancellor announced last November that the UK Government, working with other Governments, was ready to enter into legally binding advance purchase contracts in order to speed up the development of malaria vaccines. The UK intends to take this forward during the course of its Presidency of the G7/8 and as a first step, at their meeting in London in February, G7 Finance Ministers agreed to explore the use of advance purchase commitments. The UK Government will also continue to consult stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry, on the parameters of these contracts.

Ministerial Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to visit the London borough of Havering this year.

Gordon Brown: Treasury Ministers make many visits across the UK and will continue to do so this year.

Mr. Nelson Mandela

Llew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met Mr. Nelson Mandela; and what matters were discussed.

Gordon Brown: President Mandela spoke to the G7 Finance Ministers' meeting ahead of their meeting on Friday 4 February to urge them to take action on 100 per cent. multilateral debt relief, trade justice and additional aid to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

Near Cash

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition he uses of near cash.

Paul Boateng: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) on 5 July 2004, Official Report, columns 60001W.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply substantively to the question tabled by the right hon. Member for Birkenhead on 7 February, reference 215780.

Dawn Primarolo: I did so on 23 February.

Revenue and Customs

Andrew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he plans to hold with trade unions on the move to strategic zones within Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: The concept of strategic zones for the Department's compliance work has been widely discussed with staff and trade unions, and is now receiving additional focus in ongoing departmental planning. The Union of Senior Revenue Officials (USRO) recently described the consultation on the subject as 'exemplary'. The planning work will also define the boundaries of the zones and identify the scope to move work into them and the implications for departmental presence elsewhere. This work will then be discussed by the Department's board and with Ministers for further consideration.

Savings

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the SavingsGateway in each of the first five years after itslaunch.

Stephen Timms: In the pre-Budget report the Chancellor announced the launch of the larger Saving Gateway pilot for 2005. Evidence gathered through this pilot will be used to evaluate the future role matching could play in Government support for savings, both for those on low incomes and more generally. The new pilot will cost 15 million and all accounts opened will last for 18 months.

Savings

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2005, Official Report, column 1186W, on savings plans, what methodology was used to calculate (a) that the estimated current cost of tax-exempt savings plans with an annual premium limit of 300 is around 70 million per year and (b) that increasing the limit to 600 per annum would cost an extra 30 million; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The estimated 70 million annual cost of TESPs is based on assets under management data provided by the Association of Friendly Societies combined with assumptions on average returns and the rate of tax that would have been paid on them in an alternative taxed savings vehicle. The estimated 30 million cost of increasing the limit to 600 is based upon assumptions about the additional number of TESPs that would be opened and additional contributions made to take advantage of the higher limit.

Tax Credits

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) working and (b) child tax credit award notices issued to couples in 200304 omitted the earnings of one of the partners resulting in an overpayment which the Revenue is now seeking to recover; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available. The Inland Revenue is aware of a small number of occasions in 200304 when a tax credit award notice omitted the earnings of one partner. No separate records are available of precisely how many cases were involved.

Tax Credits

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Stroud constituency have been required to pay back overpayments of (a) working tax credit, (b) child tax credit and (c) both working and child tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: Details of how overpayments are recovered are provided in the Inland Revenue's Code of Practice 26 What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit. Wherever practical overpayments are recovered out of future tax credit payments. Where entitlement has ended and there remains an overpayment to be recovered, the Inland Revenue issues claimants with a 'Notice to Pay'. Within the guidelines of Code of Practice 26 the claimant has the option to choose to pay back an overpayment over 12 months.
	Information on the number of households in Stroud sent notices to pay is not available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Cambodia

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what development aid has been provided by the UK to Cambodia in each year since 1997; and whether the aid programme has been tied to (a) democratic and (b) economic reforms.

Hilary Benn: UK Government development assistance to Cambodia since 1997 can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			  UK Government ( million financial year) UK share of EC assistance ( million calendar year) 
		
		
			 199798 4.8 2.9 
			 199899 5.5 3.0 
			 19992000 7.0 2.2 
			 200001 7.5 3.9 
			 200102 6.4 2.8 
			 200203 9.8 2.2 
			 200304 8.5  
		
	
	DFID's assistance is focused on Public Financial Management, HIV and AIDS, delivering health services to poor people and strengthening local government systems to enable poor people to have a say in decisions that affect them.
	We do not make our aid conditional on specific policy decisions by partner governments, or attempt to impose policy choices on them. Instead we agree with partners on the purpose for which aid is being given, and agree benchmarks to assess progress.
	In Cambodia, the Government sets benchmarks to monitor progress with implementing its poverty reduction strategy in discussion with donors at an annual meeting and these are monitored together throughout the year. These include benchmarks relating to governance, the economy and democratic processes. These benchmarks facilitate a dialogue between Government and donors on progress but our assistance is not tied to these benchmarks.

Iran Earthquake

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the extent of the damage caused by the Zarand earthquake in South Eastern Iran; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assistance the UK has offered Iran following the Zarand earthquake in South Eastern Iran.

Hilary Benn: The Earthquake struck near the town of Zarand on 22 February at 05.55 am local time registering at 6.4 on the Richter scale. The Government of Iran report 490 deaths and 900 people injured. 59 villages and around 35,000 people have been affected.
	The Iranian Government has not requested international assistance and no humanitarian agency is planning to launch an appeal for assistance. The Government of Iran and the Iranian Red Crescent Society are responding to the needs.
	Following the news of the tragedy, DFID's Emergency Response Team was immediately activated and put on standby to provide assistance should the Iranian Government requested it. The Iranian officials informed the UK embassy in Tehran that international search and rescue teams were not required and other forms of international assistance are not needed at present. DFID officials remain in close contact with partners on the ground and continue to monitor the situation.

Low Income Countries (Expenditure)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much each low income country has spent on (a) health, (b) education and (c) debt repayment in each year since 2001.

Hilary Benn: The latest World Bank 'World Development Indicators' report (2004) shows health expenditure per capita and health expenditure as a percentage of GDP for each country in the world where data is available (Table 2.14). The most recent data are for 2001. I have arranged for a document entitled 'Tables for Parliamentary Question UIN 218158' to be deposited in the Libraries of the House. This contains a table on health spend taken from the World Development Indicators online database to which DFID subscribes. Data can also be accessed on line at http://www.worldbank.org/data/databytopic/health.html. Select 'Go to Health Topic Indicators' and then the countries or country groupings of interest.
	The hard copy of the World Development Indicators report (2004) also has in Table 2.10, data on education inputs. This table can be downloaded from http://www.worldbank.org/data/databytopic/education.html This shows the percentage of total government expenditure on education (200102) and public expenditure per primary, secondary and tertiary student (199091 and 200102). A copy of the table will be deposited in the Library in the document mentioned previously; 'Tables for Parliamentary Question UIN 218158'.
	Information on debt repayment is available in another World Bank publication 'Global Development Finance'. The latest edition is from 2004. 'Net flows and transfers on debt' are shown in Table 5 of Volume II of this report, which gives 'country tables'. This table shows average data for the period 19972001 and data for 2002. It will also be deposited in the Library of the House in the document 'Tables for Parliamentary Question UIN 218158'. It is available online from: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/RESEARCH/EXTPROSPECTS/GDFEXT/GDFEXT2004/0,,contentMDK:20177059~ menuPK:335441~paqePK:64097019~piPK:64096667~ theSitePK:335432.00.html
	An IMF publication 'Government Finance Statistics' provides more data which should allow direct comparison of government expenditure on health and education. This document is available in the House of Commons Library.
	Hard copies of all the reports mentioned above are available in the House of Commons Library.

Malaria Vaccines

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on the development of malaria vaccines in each year since 2001.

Hilary Benn: To date DFID has not directly funded any research into the development of malaria vaccines. However, the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, recently announced that the Government are ready to work with other governments to enter into agreements to purchase malaria vaccine in advance in order to ensure a secure market. This funding mechanism, known as the Advanced Purchase Commitment (APC), will aim to attract private investment into vaccine development and production. The Treasury estimates that an APC for malaria would cost the UK 48 million per year giving a total of 288 million over the next six years.

Ministry of Defence

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been paid by his Department to the Ministry of Defence in each year since 2001, broken down by project.

Hilary Benn: Since 2001, there have been three occasions, including the current Indian Ocean disaster, that DFID has requested the Ministry of Defence's assistance to provide relief to countries affected by disasters. In 2001 following the Gujarat earthquake, DFID refunded 98,000 to the MOD for the transportation of UK search and rescue teams to the disaster site. In 2004, following hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne, DFID refunded 13,000 to the MOD for the replacement of relief items held on the naval task force that were provided, at DFID's request, to the affected countries. The marginal costs of MOD assistance in support of the humanitarian relief effort in response to the Indian Ocean earthquake-Tsunami is estimated at about 2.5 million.

Tsunami (Military Assistance)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence concerning charges for services relating to the relief operation following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Hilary Benn: I have not had discussions with the MOD concerning charges for services relating to the relief operation following the Indian Ocean disaster. I am content that the costs which were agreed in advance, are competitive with commercial rates and are based on marginal costing.

Tsunami (Military Assistance)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to his Department is of hiring (a) a UK military helicopter and (b) an equivalent private helicopter for a period of (i) one day, (ii) one week and (iii) one month to provide relief support in the Indian Ocean region.

Hilary Benn: Ministry of Defence (MOD) helicopters were not used to provide direct relief support on behalf of DFID in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean disaster, but Lynx helicopters were used to transport naval personnel from HMS Chatham to Sri Lanka. The chartering of helicopters is usually quoted in a rate per flying hour. The Super Puma helicopters chartered by DFID for use by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) do not have an exact UK military equivalent; however the MOD quote a figure of approximately 732 per flying hour for a Puma while the civilian charter quote a figure of approximately 1,981 per flying hour for a Super Puma. The carrying capacity of a Puma is 5,510 lbs, while the carrying capacity of a Super Puma is 9,920 lbs.

Tsunami (Military Assistance)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to his Department is of hiring (a) a UK military plane and (b) an equivalent commercial plane to deliver an equivalent consignment of aid from London to (i) Indonesia, (ii) Sri Lanka and (iii) Thailand; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: To date, no single route has been served by both a military and a civilian plane on DFID's behalf. Calculations of costs per task are based upon the flying time between the two locations. There are other variables such as airport handling charges but these would be common to both military and civilian charter or repositioning costs. In comparing costs of military and civilian aircraft carrying out similar tasks with the same payload, the best comparator is the rate charged per flying hour. For the C-17, tasked by DFID to transport relief items to countries affected by the Indian Ocean disaster, the MOD quoted an hourly flying rate of approximately 1,975.
	There are no direct civilian equivalents of military aircraft and payloads are different, but the approximate rate for the civilian aircraft Antonov 124 is 4,225, 795 for the Ilyushin-76 and 483 for the Antonov 12. The C-17 has a payload of 75 tonnes; the Antonov 124 has a payload of 120 tonnes, the Ilyushin-76, 40 tonnes and the Antonov 12,15 tonnes.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Education Spending

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will break down by project the activities to support all objectives in Annex B of the Resource Budget of the 2004 Annual Report; if she will provide a similar breakdown for the 2003 Annual Report; and if she will estimate the corresponding expenditure for each year until 200708.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 28 February 2005
	Irefer the hon. Member to Chapter 2 of the same document which provides a more detailed breakdown of how the money is to be spent and to the subsequent chapters which describe the plans in detail. The 2004 Annual report includes earlier years and plans to 200506. Detailed plans beyond that date have not yet been finalised. Annex B and Chapter 2 present figures on slightly different bases as Annex B includes expenditure with the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) and Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) whereas Chapter 2 refers only to DEL. Within the figures in Annex B the Teachers' Pension Scheme is totally in AME as is the Educational Maintenance Allowance scheme from 200304 onwards. The small balancing activity to reconcile to the AME total shown in Annex B is in Further Education, Adult Learning and Skills and Lifelong Learning 'Other'.
	The Department does not account on a project basis, the majority of programmes are delivered through partners such as LEAs, NDPBs and other grant recipients and it is their responsibility to control delivery.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Socrates Committee and Erasmus and Comenius subcommittees and (ii) Tempus Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: (i) The Socrates Committee met once during the Italian presidency, twice during the Irish presidency, and once during the Dutch presidency. The meetings took place on 67 November 2003, 1213 February 2004, 1718 June and 1112 November 2004 and all were held in Brussels. The meetings were attended by officials of the Joint International Unit (JIU) of my Department and the Department of Work and Pensions. The Socrates schools sub-committee did not meet during the Italian presidency, and met once during each of the Irish and Dutch presidencies. The meetings took place on 4 June 2004 and 8 November 2004 in Brussels and were attended by officials from JIU, and a representative of the British Council in its role as UK National Agency for part of the programme. The Socrates Higher Education sub-committee met on 2324 October 2003, 12 June 2004 and 29 October 2004. The meetings were attended by officials from JIU, and a representative from UK Socrates-Erasmus Council as the UK National Agency for Erasmus.
	(ii) The Tempus Committee did not meet under the Italian presidency, and met once during each of the Irish and Dutch presidencies on 3 February 2004 and 13 July 2004 in Brussels. The meetings were attended by officials from my Department and, on 3 February 2004, by a representative from the UK Socrates-Erasmus Council.
	I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on the prospects for the EUCm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the EC-United States of America Joint Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
	The EU-US Task Force met on 18 July 2003 in Rome, 27 October 2003 in Washington, 14 January 2004 in Dublin, 2 March 2004 in Washington, 23 March 2004 inBrussels, 6 May 2004 in Brussels, 26 May 2004 in Brussels, 14 July 2004 in Brussels and 26 October 2004 in Brussels. The Senior Level Group met on 25 September 2003 in Brussels, 12 November 2003 in Washington, 10 February 2004 in Brussels, 3 June 2004 in Brussels, 25 June 2004 in Dromoland 28 September 2004 in Washington and 6 December 2004 in Brussels. The presidency of the day represents other member states at these meetings and as such there were no British officials present at these meetings. Further information may be found at www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

Home Start

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on Home Start in Chorley; and what funding can be accessed by Home Start in Chorley.

Margaret Hodge: Home Start Chorley was established in 1996. In 200304 the scheme supported 270 families and a total of 421 children.
	The scheme is mainly funded through a national lottery grant with additional funding from the local primary care trust and social services department. The Department for Education and Skills funds Home Start UK at a national level but does not fund individual local schemes. Home Start UK's regional consultants coordinate Funding, Strategic Planning and Financial workshops and an annual regional forum to update schemes on current practice and available funding opportunities. Additionally, funding updates are provided at quarterly regional and six monthly chair's meetings.

Marriage Support Services

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions her Department has had with the Local Government Association on local authority support for marriage and relationship support services; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: To our knowledge, no discussions have been held between the Local Government Association and the Department on local authority support for marriage and relationship support services.

Child Care Morecambe and Lunesdale

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State forEducation and Skills how many child care places have been created in Morecambe and Lunesdale since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: The Department is unable to provide details of child care places for Morecambe and Lunesdale. However, from April 1999 to March 2004 Lancashire local authority increased the number of child care places in Lancashire by 9,826 registered and unregistered places. The registered child care places in Lancashire in March 2004 was 26,391 places.

School Adjudicator

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for each of the last five years, if she will list the cases referred to the school adjudicator in each of the last five years in respect of (a) admissions, (b) school closures, (c) proposals to open new schools and (d) proposals to expand existing schools; and what the outcome of each case was.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 28 February 2005
	This information is published each year by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator in their annual report. Copies, for each year since the office was created in April 1999, have been placed in the House Library.

School Attendance

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the percentage rate of school attendance in (a) Hartlepool and (b) England and Wales was in the last period for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: The school attendance rate for Hartlepool for 200304 was 93.5 per cent. compared with 93.4 per cent. for England.

School Meals

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the average cost of the food content of school meals; and if she will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Local education authorities publish details in their annual budget statements of sums delegated to schools for school meal provision, but this information does not include a breakdown detailing thesum allocated in respect of school meal ingredient costs. We cannot, therefore, provide the information requested. However, we are considering whether any changes are needed in the context of our future plans for improving the quality of school meals, which include stricter nutritional standards from 2006 and a school food trust.

Sickness Absence

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what initiatives her Department is taking to reduce the numbers of sick days taken by staff in the Department.

Derek Twigg: My Department is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and is working towards meeting the recommendations of the recently published report, Managing Attendance in the Public Sector.
	Managers are responsible for day to day sickness absence management. Absence data for each employee are recorded centrally and monitoring arrangements are in place that trigger when formal action must be taken. The Department's HR Business Partners work closely with managers to identify trends and problem areas and deliver tailored support and solutions. A pilot scheme is running bringing occupational health nurse advisers to headquarters buildings on a regular basis to provide advice and support on sickness absence. Sickness absence statistics are reported annually to Cabinet Office.
	Other action taken to improve sickness absence rates include: introducing health awareness programmes, with screening for cholesterol and high blood pressure, to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle options; and a variety of fitness programmes available to staff. On National No Smoking Day, we will announce a package of support for smokers who want to quit as part of our commitment to become a smoke free workplace by 2006. Systems and practices are being developed, in line with HSE guidance, to help prevent work-related stress occurring.

Sure Start

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total expenditure on the Sure Start Strengthening Families Grant has been in each year that it has been in operation; and what the projected spending on this scheme is for the next three years.

Margaret Hodge: The Strengthening Families Grant represents the coming-together, in July 2004, of the Family Support Grant (FSG, originating in the Home Office) and the Marriage and Relationship Support Grant (MARS, originating in Department of Constitutional Affairs). Awards for this grant programme will become effective for financial year 200506. The fund allocation for this programme totals 11 million. The same spend is projected for the next three years. This will include committed funds for ongoing MARS and FSG grants and newly allocated SF grants.

Sure Start

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on (a) the operation of the Sure Start programme in Gloucestershire, and (b) planned further schemes.

Margaret Hodge: Gloucestershire has two Sure Start local programmes.
	Sure Start Barton, Tredworth and White City was approved in October 2000 and supports around 900 young children and their families living in these areas. Sure Start Cheltenham was approved in February 2003 and supports around 740 young children and their families living in the Hester's Way and Oakley, Whaddon, Lynmouth and Priors area of the district. Barton, Tredworth and White City Sure Start Local Programme have spent 1,214,000 on their capital projects and Cheltenham Sure Start Local Programme have had approximately half of their 1,075,000 capital allocation approved for specific projects in the area.
	Both programmes deliver a wide range of child, family health and parental support services. Recent Sure Start Unit monitoring reports for the month September 2004 show that Sure Start Barton, Tredworth and White City saw around 35 per cent. of children that month and has visited all of families with newborn babies within the first two months of their child's life. Sure Start Cheltenham has visited around 70 per cent. of families with newborn babies within the first two months of their child's life. Evidence of impact from local evaluation of the Sure Start Barton, Tredworth and White City programme also shows that from a baseline of 51 per cent. of mothers breastfeeding at birth, the rate is now 57 per cent. The programme has also reported that activities associated with the 'Improving and Learning' objective has resulted in a 30 per cent. increase in the use of library services.
	There is one mini Sure Start local programme (Dursley and Cam) in Stroud which was approved in December 2002. The programme received a revenue grant in 200405 of 100,000 to support the delivery of outreach and health services, family support and adult education. This programme is linked to a 50 place neighbourhood nursery (Treetops Nursery) in Dursley with additional outreach and family support being delivered from Rednock Community Centre in Dursley and from GL11 Community Project in Cam. Sure Start has contributed 256,000 in capital funding towards the nursery's integrated education and care facilities. We are also providing start up revenue grant funds of 270,000, available over three years to help ensure the Nursery is firmly established. This is being developed into a children's centre and is expected to be designated by March 2006. The children's centre will reach children and families in Dursley, Cam East and Cam West wards.
	Gloucestershire has five neighbourhood nurseries delivering 190 new early education and childcare places. Gardners Lane Early Excellence Centre in Cheltenham was approved in 2002. It has received a revenue grant of 242,150 in 200405 and will continue to receive this level in 200506. It has had a one-off capital grant of 376,100. This centre is also being developed into a children's centre.
	Gloucestershire county council is planning to create eight children's centres by April 2006. The locations of these children's centres are as follows: Treetops children's centre in Dursley ward; Hesters Way children's centre building on existing provision from the Cheltenham Sure Start local programme and the neighbourhood nursery in Hesters Way ward; Bartongate children's centre building on existing provision from Barton, Tredworth and White City Sure Start Local programme and the Neighbourhood Nursery in the Eastgate ward in Gloucester; Finlay children's centre building from the Gloucester Sure Start Local Programme on a school site and covering the Barton and Tredworth ward; Gardners Lane children's centre building on the Early Excellence centre and reaching those in the wards of St. Peter's, St.Paul's, Lower High Street and Swindon Village; Robinswood children's centre building from the Early Years centre in the Matson ward; Rowanfield children's centre building on Rowanfield Infants School in St.Mark's ward and Linden children's centre building on Linden Primary School covering Moreland and Westgate wards.
	These centres will reach 4,731 children under five resident in the areas. 176 new child care places will mean that 469 full-time child care places are available within the eight areas. Gloucestershire have been given indicative allocations of 1 million for capital development and 355,000 of revenue funding for the development of these children's centres.

Schools (Surplus Places)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the projects to reduce surplus places funded through the Targeted Capital Fund in each of the last three years; what the cost of each project was; and how many places were lost under each project.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 28 February 2005
	In accordance with the Targeted Capital Fund programme, projects were accepted from local education authorities that included reductions in surplus places. Information on these projects, and the places lost per project, is not recorded centrally.

Schools (Surplus Places)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times she has used the powers under schedule 7 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 to require local education authorities to bring forward plans to reduce the number of surplus places.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 28 February 2005
	Local education authorities are responsible for balancing the supply of places in their area, to ensure schools serve the needs of their local communities and provide good quality education in the most cost effective way.
	The Secretary of State's powers under schedule 7 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 are reserve powers, which have not yet had to be used.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Iraq

William Cash: To ask the Solicitor-General what involvement (a) the Lord Chancellor and (b) Baroness Morgan had in preparation of the reply to the parliamentary question tabled by the hon. Member for Stone to the Prime Minister on 11 March 2003 on the legal basis for military intervention in Iraq to which the Attorney-General referred in evidence to the Butler Inquiry on 5 May 2004; and if she will make a statement.

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Solicitor-General where and in what buildings, the written statement made to Parliament on 17 March 2003 setting out the legal basis for the war in Iraq was prepared; and by whom.

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  what discussions the Attorney-General had with respect to drafting the written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA2;
	(2)  what advice the Attorney-General received, and from whom, prior to the writing of the written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA2;
	(3)  whether the Attorney-General's written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, columnWA2, was written by the Attorney-General.

Harriet Harman: The Attorney-General's written answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 515W, which I relayed to the House, was drawn up in the office of the Attorney-General. Those involved were the Attorney-General and myself, two officials in our office, three officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Christopher Greenwood QC. The draft was also discussed with the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg. The Attorney-General was fully involved throughout the drafting process and personally finalised and approved the answer.
	No other Minister or official was involved. In particular, neither Baroness Morgan of Huyton nor Lord Falconer of Thoroton, nor any official in the Prime Minister's office had any involvement whatever in the drafting of the answer. The Attorney-General has never said that they did so. As the Attorney-General has always made clear, he set out in the answer his own genuinely held, independent view that military action was lawful under the existing Security Council resolutions.

Parliamentary Questions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Solicitor-General how many officials were involved in drafting the parliamentary answer to Baroness Ramsey (HL2172); and from which Department each came.

Harriet Harman: Five officials were involved: two from the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and three from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

HEALTH

Agenda for Change

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will guarantee that all Whitley conditions of employment are protected during the implementation of Agenda for Change.

John Hutton: The protection arrangements which apply under Agenda for Change to staff employed by national health service organisations have been agreed by the NHS Staff Council. These arrangements are set out in Section 46 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, a copy of which is in the Library.

Asthma

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will exempt asthma medication from prescription charges.

Rosie Winterton: We have no plans to extend the existing list of medical conditions that give exemption from prescription charges. The list has been reviewed on a number of occasions but no clear cut case for extending it has emerged. There is no consensus on what additional conditions might be included in any revised list of medical exemptions, or how distinctions could be drawn between one condition and another.
	Government policy is to help those who may have difficulty paying charges. The current exemption and charge remission arrangements are intended to ensure that no one need be deterred from obtaining any necessary medication on financial grounds. Consequently, 86 per cent., of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge.

Consultants

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed in the NHS on the latest date for which figures are available; how many were employed in 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 February 2005
	The latest data available is at June 2004.
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): medical and dental consultants
		
			 England(10) Whole time equivalents 
		
		
			 September 1997 19,661 
			 June 2004 27,640 
		
	
	(10)Data as at 30 September 1997 and 30 June 2004.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
	The number of whole-time equivalent consultants working in the National Health Service increased by 7,979 or 41 per cent., between September 1997 and June 2004. The number of specialist registrars has also increased significantly over recent years and these doctors will become the consultants of the future.

Continuing Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) how much has been paid to date by his Department to individuals or their families where it has been found that they were inappropriately charged for NHS continuing care since 1996;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 24 January to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford to question reference 210193, if he will list by each strategic health authority (SHA) the number of complaints each SHA has investigated on allegations of individuals being inappropriately denied funding for continuing care at (a) December 2003, (b) March 2004 and (c) July 2004; and if he will list in each case (i) the number and percentage of completed investigations and (ii) the number of cases eligible for payment as of July 2004.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 1 February 2005
	The exact amount of restitution paid to date is not known centrally. However, we estimate the figure to reach 180 million by the end of the process.
	With regard to the number of complaints investigated, I refer the hon. Member to the statement Imade to the House on 16 September 2004, Official Report, column 175WS. That statement provides the latest available statistics, including the most up to date information on the numbers of cases eligible for payment. Further to this information, the table shows details of the number of requests for retrospective funding investigations received between 31 March and 31 July 2004 and the total number of retrospective cases completed by the 31 July 2004.
	
		
			   Strategic health authority name Number of requests for retrospective funding investigations between 31 March and 31 July Total number of retrospective funding investigations completed by 31 July 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 110 608 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 30 132 
			 Essex 20 209 
			 North West London 17 209 
			 North Central London 46 101 
			 North East London 23 169 
			 South East London 36 246 
			 South West London 25 182 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 35 202 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 23 223 
			 North and East Yorkshire and North Lincs 46 302 
			 West Yorkshire 42 177 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 75 419 
			 Greater Manchester 66 285 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 103 651 
			 Thames Valley 39 195 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 74 544 
			 Kent and Medway 65 280 
			 Surrey and Sussex 137 555 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire And Wiltshire 109 857 
			 South West Peninsula 49 533 
			 Dorset And Somerset 76 429 
			 South Yorkshire 26 197 
			 Trent 81 395 
			 Leics, Northants and Rutland 31 245 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 37 432 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 37 278 
			 West Midlands South 41 275

Cossham Hospital

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects on communities served by Cossham hospital arising from the transfer of services from Cossham hospital to community health facilities in Kingswood town centre.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 February 2005
	I have made no assessment. It is for strategic health authorities, as the local headquarters of the national health service, to oversee service improvements in their local areas because with their knowledge of the local community they are best placed to do so.

Cossham Hospital

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional services will be available to the community hitherto served by Cossham hospital as a result of the transfer of services from Cossham hospital to community health facilities in Kingswood.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 February 2005
	The public consultation undertaken by the local national health service in Bristol relating to Cossham hospital has been extended to 1 March 2005. No final decisions, therefore, have been taken on this matter.
	I understand it is proposed that the community health facilities in Kingswood, Orchard Medical Centre and the Kingswood Health Centre be extended so that services such as outpatient clinics, X-ray and physiotherapy would be placed alongside general practitioner practices.

Cossham Hospital

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the objectives were of the transfer of services from Cossham Hospital to community health facilities in Kingswood town centre.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 February 2005
	It is for primary care trusts in partnership with the local health community to work to improve services for their local population.
	I understand the local national health service in Bristol's proposals are to provide modern, appropriate services and facilities for the local population.

Dentists

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists' surgeries in (a) Greater London and (b) each London borough were accepting new NHS patients in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: This data is not available by Greater London or by London boroughs. Information on the number of dental practices accepting new national health service patients in London as at 15 February 2005 broken down by strategic health authority and primary care trust has been placed in the Library. Data is not available for the last five years.

Departmental Policies (Rochdale)

Lorna Fitzsimons: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the Rochdale constituency, the effect on Rochdale of his Department's policies and actions since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The Government has put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the Rochdale constituency.
	For example in March 1997 1 , there were 431 patients waiting more than 12months for in-patient treatment and 2,283 waiting nine to 11months. Latest figures show 1,202 waiting six to eight months and nobody waiting more than nine months.
	In March 1997 1 , there were 3,587 patients waiting more than 13weeks for out-patient treatment. Latest figures show 1,183 waiting more than 13 weeks.
	The latest published figures show that 94.9 per cent. of patients spend less than four hours in the accident and emergency department. In September 2002, the figure was 78.3 per cent. and in September 2003, the figure was 92.3 per cent.
	99.8 per cent. of urgent referrals for suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks.
	A total of 811,000 has been provided from the cancer plan central capital allocation for a scanner, as part of the 50 extra scanners across England. This magnetic resonance imaging scanner will become operational for patients in summer 2005 at the Rochdale Infirmary and is expected to increase the annual number of scans from 7,800 to 11,000.
	A new mobile catheter laboratory funded by the New Opportunity Fund will be based at Rochdale Infirmary from March 2005. The laboratory will expand the facilities available at the cardiology unit enabling an additional 1,800 angiograms to be carried out in a full year.
	Work is commencing to convert a ward at Rochdale Infirmary to a 500,000 16-station renal dialysis unit which is due to open in May 2005.
	1 Figures from 1997 are the sum of the figures for the preceding NHS trusts (Oldham NHS trust, Rochdale healthcare NHS trust, North Manchester healthcare NHS trust and Bury healthcare NHS trust) to their merger in 2002 to form the Pennine acute hospitals NHS trust.

General Practitioners

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average remuneration for a general practitioner was in each of the past 15 years.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 February 2005
	Figures based on information for Great Britain are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Intended average net remuneration/income () 
		
		
			 198990 31,105 
			 199091 33,630 
			 199192 37,512 
			 199293 40,010 
			 199394 40,610 
			 199495 41,890 
			 199596 43,165 
			 199697 44,483 
			 199798 46,031 
			 199899 48,037 
			 19992000 52,606 
			 200001 54,219 
			 200102 56,510 
			 200203 61,618 
			 200304 67,040

General Practitioners

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the arrangements for sick pay provision for general practitioners are.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 February 2005
	The rights of general practitioners (GPs) partners in partnership agreements to paid sickness leave is a matter for their partnership agreement. For GPs who are salaried, employed either by general medical service contractors or primary care trusts, their entitlement to sick pay should reflect that available to hospital doctors. Under other forms of primary medical contracts, e.g. personal medical services or alternative provider medical services this will be a matter for locally agreed contracts.

Health Tourism (Cost)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the amount health tourism cost the NHS in England in each year between 1997 and 2004.

John Hutton: holding answer 24 February 2005
	Successive Governments have not required the national health service to provide statistics on the number of overseas visitors treated under the provisions of the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended. It is therefore not possible to give a definitive assessment of the scale of health tourism.

Influenza

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many doses of (a) amantadine and (b) other flu vaccines or antivirals his Department has stockpiled in preparation for an influenza pandemic;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of doses of (a) flu vaccine and (b) antivirals which need to be stockpiled in preparation for an influenza pandemic.

Melanie Johnson: The UK Health Departments UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan is being published today, together with our procurement of antivirals. This puts the United Kingdom in the forefront of international preparedness for a possible flu pandemic. The document is on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu.
	We are working closely with other governments and the World Health Organisation to ensure the international community is as well prepared as it can be to spot and address the early signs of a pandemic as quickly as possible.
	However, it makes sense to ensure we in the UK are as prepared as we can be and have drugs for use against an influenza pandemic here. That is why 14.6 million courses of oseltamivir have been ordered for delivery over the next two financial years. This will enable us to treat one in four of the UK populationthe proportion which the WHO recommends we plan for.

Mixed Sex Accommodation

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of inpatients accommodated in mixed sex accommodation.

Rosie Winterton: We have made no estimate of the number of in-patients accommodated in mixed or single-sex wards. We collect information on the total number of hospital admissions each year. This does not identify into which type of accommodation those patients are admitted.
	The provision of single-sex accommodation is measured as compliance with three objectives we have set, requiring national health service trusts to provide single-sex sleeping areas, separate bathroom and toilet facilities for men and women, and where appropriate, safe facilities for the mentally ill. Compliance is measured annually at trust level and information at ward level is therefore not available.
	Nationally, 97 per cent., of NHS trusts are fully compliant with our standards.

MRI Scans

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2005, Official Report, columns 1337W, on MRI scans, what funding has been identified to cover additional diagnostic services; and what progress has been made towards the plans for phase two of the independent sector procurement programme.

John Hutton: holding answer 23 February 2005
	135billion of investment in the national health service will be allocated to English primary care trusts for 200607 and 200708 to ensure the NHS continues to deliver improvements in patient care. This includes a 1billion independent sector procurement programme to ensure that NHS patients will get speedier access to high quality diagnostic tests, including magnetic resonance imaging scans. The Department will issue an advertisement inviting expressions of interest soon.

MRSA

Parmjit Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of MRSA have been found in each hospital of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust since 2002.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not collected at a national level to show numbers for individual hospitals within national health service trusts.
	The numbers of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemias reported for the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of MRSA bacteraemias reported 
		
		
			 200202 163 
			 200203 144 
			 200304 132

National Burn Care Review

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will consult on the recommendations of the national burn care review.

John Hutton: There will be a national consultation on the recommendations made in the report after it has been seen and accepted by the National Burn Care Group. This consultation is not expected to take place before the summer of 2005.

National Burn Care Review

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the recommendations of the national burn care review.

John Hutton: The National Burn Care Group has asked the sub-group to carry out further work since the draft report was circulated to its members. A final report is not expected to be completed until the summer of 2005.

NHS Estate

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the full results of the last annual condition surveys for (a) 200001, (b) 200102, (c) 200203 and (d) 200304; and if he will publish future surveys within a set timeframe from the financial year end.

John Hutton: Annual condition surveys are not collected centrally. It is for individual national health service trusts to determine whether to publish them.

NHS Reference Costs

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS reference costs are the costs for (a) all treatments, (b) elective and day care and (c) critical care services were for the Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust in the latest financial year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 February 2005
	The following data is available from the Reference Costs 2003 data, relating to the financial year 200203 and is the most current available.
	
		Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust
		
			   Percentage of total cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 
		
		
			 Total cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 ['All treatments'] 111,447,007 0.38 
			 Total elective and day case cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 16,655,187 0.06 
			 Total critical care services cost reported in Reference Costs 2003 4,669,228 0.02 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data exclude activity and costs reported using HRG codes with a T' prefix. These were never ratified by the respective Royal Colleges.
	2.Data represent total costs of treatment provided to NHS patients from NHS resources. They include the cost to the NHS of providing services in-house, and the cost of sub-contracting activity to non-NHS providers.
	3.'All treatments' reflect the total cost reported by Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust, with the exception of those detailed in note one above.
	4.The definition of day care activity is too broad to be recognised by Reference Costs. Where applicable, day case activity has been provided.
	5.Elective and day case costs specifically exclude elective in-patient excess bed days.
	6.Percentage figures are calculated on total cost as reported in Reference Costs 2003, for all providers, approximately 33 billion.

NHS Staff

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS staff are (a) medical, (b) nursing, (c) technical, (d) administrative (managerial and clerical) and (e) auxiliary and support; and what proportion of each category are covered by nationally negotiated wage rates and contract of employment conditions.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 February 2005
	The proportion of staff working within groupings used to illustrate their role in the national health service is shown in the table. Information about the proportion of staff working in these groupings covered by nationally negotiated wage rates could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		NHS staff numbers(11) by group, and estimated(12) proportion of each group on national(13) (as opposed to local) pay scales: England
		
			  Number (headcount) as at 30 September 2003 Percentage of total staff as at 30 September 2003 Percentage on national pay scales(13) as at August 2002 
		
		
			 Total employed staff (HCHS only) 1,144,697 100.0 71 
			 
			 HCHS medical and dental staff (excl locums) 80,851 7.1 4 
			 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 364,692 31.9 (14) 
			 
			 Total qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff 122,066 10.7 (14) 
			 
			 Qualified Ambulance staff 15,957 1.4 (14) 
			 
			 Support to clinical staff 360,666 31.5 (14) 
			 
			 NHS infrastructure support: 199,808 17.5 (14) 
			 Central functions 92,257 8.1 (14) 
			 Hotel, property and estates 72,230 6.3 (14) 
			 Manager and senior manager 35,321 3.1 (14) 
			 
			 Other non-medical staff or those with unknown classification 657 0.1 (14) 
		
	
	(11) Excluding general practitioners (see note 2).
	(12) The NHS earnings survey is based on the payroll of a sample of approximately 50 per cent. of NHS trusts in August.
	(13) National pay scales include clones; these are local pay scales, which mirror national pay scales.
	(14) This data cannot be provided.
	Sources:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census (30 September 2003).
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census (30 September 2003).
	Department of Health NHS Earnings Survey (August 2002).

NHS Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the numbers of NHS staff referred to in his answer of 15 November 2004, Official Report, column 1171W are (a) headcount and (b) whole-time equivalent; and whether they cover (i) England, (ii) England and Wales and (iii) the UK.

John Hutton: holding answer 23 February 2005
	The figures are in headcount and are for England only.

NHS Staff

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) hospital, (b) public health medicine and (c) community health service (i) doctors and (ii) nurses in training were employed in the Newcastle primary care trust area in (A) 1996, (B) 2001 and (C) 2004.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested. Student nurses receive bursaries or grants and are not employed by national health service organisations. As a result of changes to the way that nurse training is commissioned, it is not possible to provide comparable data for the Newcastle primary care trust (PCT) area. Data for the number of doctors in training within the Northumberland Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, broken down by organisation, are shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health service (HCHS): medical and dental staff of which doctors in training within Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority by organisationas at 30 September each year
		
			 Number (headcount) 
			   1996 2001 2003 
			   All staff of which: Doctors in training All staff of which: Doctors in training All staff of which: Doctors in training 
		
		
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear  2,231 1,106 2,622 1,282 2,861 1,413 
			 of which:
			 Cheviot and Wansbeck NHS Trust RLK 121 46 0 0 0 0 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside HA QDG 4 0 6 2 0 0 
			 Gateshead Health NHS Trust RR7 0 0 213 101 241 132 
			 Gateshead Healthcare NHS Trust RM7 31 5 0 0 0 0 
			 Gateshead Hospitals NHS Trust RE2 152 72 0 0 0 0 
			 Gateshead PCT 5KF 0 0 0 0 13 0 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside HA QDJ 9 3 21 12 0 0 
			 Newcastle City Health NHS Trust RNM 228 120 0 0 0 0 
			 Newcastle PCT 5D7 0 0 28 3 31 2 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust RTD 0 0 1,136 546 1,190 597 
			 Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health Services NHS Trust RNP 0 0 150 111 189 91 
			 North Tyneside Health Care NHS Trust RLC 151 73 0 0 0 0 
			 North Tyneside PCT 5D8 0 0 0 0 13 0 
			 Northgate and Prudhoe NHS Trust RM6 20 8 17 4 23 2 
			 Northumberland Care Trust TAC 0 0 0 0 30 4 
			 Northumberland Community Health NHS Trust RLM 35 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumberland HA QDM 9 5 4 0 0 0 
			 Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust RE8 34 12 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear StHA Q09 0 0 0 0 20 12 
			 Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust RTF 0 0 380 146 408 184 
			 South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust RW9 0 0 0 0 57 15 
			 South Tyneside Health Care NHS Trust RE9 94 23 248 161 221 164 
			 South Tyneside PCT 5KG 0 0 0 0 10 0 
			 Sunderland City Hospitals NHS Trust RLN 340 165 366 181 406 210 
			 Sunderland HA QDN 7 3 10 6 0 0 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT 5KL 0 0 0 0 9 0 
			 The Freeman Group of Hospitals RAB 360 204 0 0 0 0 
			 The Royal Victoria Infirmary and associated Hospitals NHS Trust RCK 609 356 0 0 0 0 
			 Wearside Priority Health Care NHS Trust RLH 27 9 43 9 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

Nurses

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses, (b) health visitors, (c) practice nurses and (d) school nurses were employed (i) in England and (ii) in Huddersfield constituency in (A) 1997 and (B) 2004.

Melanie Johnson: It is not possible to provide information for Huddersfield constituency because the previous and existing national health service trusts served an area significantly wider than Huddersfield constituency. The primary care trust (PCT) boundaries in the area are not coterminous with the Huddersfield constituency boundaries.
	Information on the number of nurses, health visitors and practice nurses employed in England and in West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) in 1997 and 2003 (the latest year for which data is available) is shown in the table.
	The Government collected information on the school nursing workforce in the September 2003 non-medical workforce census, but this information was incomplete. Information on the number of school nurses employed in the NHS will be available from the September 2004 non-medical workforce census, expected to be published in March 2005.
	
		All NHS qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff, including practice nurses employed in England, West Yorkshire SHA and Huddersfield areas as at 30 September(15) in each year
		
			 headcount 
			  1997 2003 
			 England 
		
		
			 All qualified nurses (including practice nurses) 318,856 386,629 
			 of which:   
			 Health visitor 12,410 12,984 
			 Practice nurse 18,389 21,667 
			 West Yorkshire SHA 
			 All qualified nurses (including practice nurses) 14,787 18,829 
			 of which:   
			 Health visitor 595 609 
			 Practice nurse 736 903 
		
	
	(15) Practice nurse figures as at 1 October for 1997.
	Source:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census.
	Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.

Patients (Leicestershire)

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) in-patients and (b) out-patients were treated in Leicestershire in each year between 199293 and the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		1. Count of finished in-patient admission episodes for selected providers national health service hospitals, 199394 to 200304
		
			  NHS Trust 
			  Leicester General Hospital Leicester Royal Infirmary Glenfield Hospital University Hospitals of Leicester Leicestershire Mental Health Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare Leicestershire Partnership 
		
		
			 199394 44,956 83,442 19,078  
			 199495 28,141 80,748 18,424  11,332
			 199596 42,039 85,973 22,489  3,519 11,070   
			 199697 43,357 100,931 24,008  3,793 11,707   
			 199798 45,875 103,626 22,338  2,239 9,683   
			 199899 49,313 111,885 25,914  4,212 9,658   
			 19992000 51,315 114,423 27,68615,142  
			 200001182,101   8,046  
			 200102199,980   9,571  
			 200203201,1554,557 
			 200304209,6564,404 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	3. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust was formed on 1 April 2000 following the merger of Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust, and Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust. Leicestershire Mental Health Service NHS Trust was established in 1993 and dissolved in April 1999. Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community NHS Trust was established in1994 and dissolved in April 1999. Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust was established 1 January 1999. The new trust replaced the Leicestershire Mental Health Service and the Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community NHS Trusts. Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust was established in April 2002. The new trust came into being when it changed its name from Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust to Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics (HES), Department of Health.
	
		2. Count of first out-patient attendances for selected providers NHS hospitals, 199394 to 200304 outlined in the HES extract for Leicestershire
		
			  NHS Trust 
			  Leicester General Hospital Leicester Royal Infirmary Glenfield Hospital University Hospitals of Leicester Leicestershire Mental Health Fosse Health, Leicestershire Community Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare Leicestershire Partnership 
		
		
			 199394 25,286 74,586 17,508  
			 199495 27,753 80,022 19,253  3,742
			 199596 26,000 83,415 22,891  4,629 36,125   
			 199697 25,950 87,905 26,528  5,503 39,187   
			 199798 26,598 92,317 28,098  5,669 36,737   
			 199899 26,591 96,116 30,204  6,728 35,413   
			 19992000 27,757 101,379 26,48036,611  
			 200001161,329   38,399  
			 200102177,380   16,257  
			 200203178,0788,728 
			 200304173,84910,901 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health KH09 and QMOP monitoring returns.

Student Midwives

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student midwives who entered training in (a) 200203 and (b) 200304 were over the age of 25 years.

John Hutton: The number of student midwives who entered diploma training in 200203 and 200304 is shown in the table. Data are not collected by the specific age band requested.
	
		
			 Age band 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Below 26 288 324 
			 26 and above 321 276 
		
	
	Source:
	Nursing and midwifery admissions service.

Student Midwives

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student midwives dropped out of training in (a) 200203 and (b) 200304.

John Hutton: Information for England on the percentage of pre-registration midwifery students who have left their university course in 200203 and 200304 is not available. The attrition data for these academic years administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency are in the process of being analysed.

Sunlight

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  on what published scientific evidence the Government's recommendations to the public concerning exposure to sunlight are based, with particular reference to (a) exposure at peak hours and (b) using sunscreen;
	(2)  whether the public health consequences of sunlight exposure have been recently reviewed; and whether new guidelines have been published;
	(3)  what steps the Government has taken to inform the public of the effects on vitamin D status of measures that may be taken to reduce the risk of skin cancer;
	(4)  what evidential sources the Chief Medical Officer based his Better Health advice on exposure to the sun; and what account he took of consequential effects on vitamin D levels;
	(5)  what research he has commissioned on whether those who follow the advice on avoiding exposure to the sun at peak hours and using sunscreen would obtain sufficient vitamin D;
	(6)  what steps the Department has taken over the last 10 years to inform the public that exposure of skin to sunlight is necessary to provide vitamin D;
	(7)  what research his Department has evaluated concerning whether casual exposure of the hands and face to sunlight at British latitudes provides sufficient vitamin D for optimum health.

Melanie Johnson: Skin cancer is the second most common cancer in the United Kingdom, with about 40,500 cases annually. 6,000 of these cases are malignant melanomas. While rare, mortality rates are high and 50 per cent. of patients die within two years.
	The Government has been active in providing information to the public to advise people on the best ways to avoid skin cancer.
	We have with key stakeholders developed the SunSmart campaign. It is run by Cancer Research UK and funded by the UK health departments. Cancer Research UK has received funding of around 400,000 for three years from 200306.
	The SunSmart advice is:
	stay in the shade between 11 am to 3 pm,
	make sure you never burn,
	always cover up with a T-shirt, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses,
	remember to take extra care with children,
	then use factor 15 plus sunscreen.
	Further work by Cancer Research UK is being undertaken on risks associated with sunbeds.
	No new guidelines have been issued in the last three years while the SunSmart campaign has been in place, although there has been variation on the ways in which the messages are put across to the public so as to achieve maximum and continuing impact.
	The messages in the SunSmart campaign have been approved by the members of the United Kingdom Skin Cancer Working Group, which is hosted by the British Association of Dermatologists and includes representatives of the National Radiological Protection Board, the Skin Care Campaign, UK health departments, the Health and Safety Executive and other experts in the subject.
	The following international studies discuss the scientific evidence for sun protection behaviours and messages These studies include: Interventions to prevent skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation, A systematic review, Saraiya, Glantz, Briss et al., Am J Prev Med 2004; 27 (5).
	European Code Against Cancer and scientific justification: third version (2003), Boyle, Autier, Bartelink et al, Annals of Oncology 14:9731005, 2003.
	IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Volume 5, Sunscreens, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, 2001.
	Copies of these studies have been placed in the Library.
	The Chief Medical Officer's advice in his top 10 tips for better health on protection from the sun reiterates the advice in the SunSmart campaign.
	Government also funds the ultra-violet (UV) index on the Meteorological Office website (linked to the Cancer Research UK SunSmart website). Met Office weather reports on television and radio draw attention to the UV index when danger from the sun is high.
	The United Kingdom Skin Cancer Working Group recently established a sub-group to consider questions relating to exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D. This sub-group at its meeting in January 2005 concluded that on present evidence it would be inappropriate to alter the SunSmart messages. However, it noted that an international workshop on the subject of exposure to the sun and Vitamin D levels will take place in Munich in October 2005 involving the organisations Euroskin and the WHOINTERSUN groups. One of the objectives of this international workshop is to produce a peer-reviewed publication as soon as possible. The Government will consider any implications for policy from the evidence in this report when it is available.

Telephone Numbers (0870)

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will prohibit the use of national rate 0870 telephone numbers by general practices and other frontline primary care services; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Yes. From April, no national health service organisations providing local services will not be able to adopt national or premium rate numbers. General practitioner practices currently using national rate telephone lines will be expected to change these to lo-call numbers.

Waiting Times (Lancashire)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for surgery for patients in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley was in (i) 1997, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2005.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested for available years is shown in the tables.
	
		In-patient waiting list and timebands for Chorley and South Ribble National Health Service Trust, Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 199697, 200001 and 200304
		
			  Patients waiting for admissions by months waiting 
			 Month/year Quarter Unit code Unit name Total 02 35 68 911 1214 
		
		
			 March 1997  
			 199697 4 RJU Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 1,857 1,079 463 249 66 0 
			 March 1997  
			 199697 4 RMF Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 8,970 4,137 2,352 1,445 1,000 18 
			 March 2001  
			 200001 4 RMF Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 8,926 5,559 1,987 1,002 378 0 
			 March 2004  
			 200304 4 RXN Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 8,275 5,527 2,123 625 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Patients waiting for admissions by months waiting 
			 Month/year Quarter Unit code Unit name 1517 1820 8 months+ 12 months+ Estimated median waiting time (months) 
		
		
			 March 1997 
			 199697 4 RJU Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 0 0 66 0 2.58 
			 March 1997 
			 199697 4 RMF Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 15 3 1036 36 3.44 
			 March 2001 
			 200001 4 RMF Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 0 0 378 0 2.41 
			 March 2004 
			 200304 4 RXN Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust   0 0 2.25 
			  
		
	
	
		
			  Patients waiting for admission by months waiting 
			 Month/year Quarter Organisation code Name Total 1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 
		
		
			 December 2004
			 200405 3 RXN Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 8,680 2,356 1,960 1,345 1,038 702 526 415 
		
	
	
		
			 Patients waiting for admission by months waiting 
			 Month/year Quarter Organisation code Name 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 Sum of 12 Estimated median waiting time (months) 
		
		
			 December 2004   
			 200405 3 RXN Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 250 88 0 0 0 0 2.02 
		
	
	Note:
	No data was returned for Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust for quarter 4, 200001.
	Source:
	Department of Health KH07.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what policies her Department has in place for supporting employees with cancer.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture Media and Sport has a range of polices in place to support staff with medical conditions. These include occupational health advice on reasonable adjustments to allow staff to continue working where appropriate; support and advice from the DCMS Staff Counsellor; a range of flexible working provisions, including flexitime, part-time working, homeworking and paid/unpaid special leave; and six months fully paid sickness absence, followed by six months on half pay, up to a maximum of 12 months.

Digital Switchover

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  when she expects to announce the areas of the United Kingdom in which digital switchover will first take place;
	(2)  what criteria will be used in determining the order in which digital switchover will be introduced in the regions;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on her plans to implement a regional roll out of digital switchover.

Estelle Morris: The Government will confirm the timetable once all the remaining issues relating to digital switchover are resolved and we are satisfied that the interests of consumers, especially the most vulnerable, are well protected.
	The order in which regions will be switched off is not one for the Government: it will be based on technical criteria and agreed between broadcasters, multiplex operators and Ofcom.
	We expect Ofcom to issue a statement on the indicative regional order shortly.
	Ofcom have issued a statement on the indicative regional order. This is available from the Ofcom website at: www.ofcom.org.uk.

Digital Switchover

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to announce the details of regional pilot schemes in preparation for digital switchover; what role regional pilot schemes will have in determining the date for digital switchover; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: The Government has no plans for regional pilot schemes. However, we are currently conducting a technical trial in South Wales to gauge the technical and consumer issues associated with the switchover process. This trial is not a blueprint for regional rollout but a vital part of the preparation for the national switchover.
	The order in which regions will be switched off is not one for the Government: it will be based on technical criteria and agreed between broadcasters, multiplex operators and Ofcom.
	Ofcom have issued a statement on the indicative regional order. This is available from the Ofcom website at: www.ofcom.org.uk.
	The Government will confirm the timetable once all the remaining issues relating to digital switchover are resolved and we are satisfied that the interests of consumers, especially the most vulnerable, are well protected.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the training programme for professionals in the European audio-visual programme industry and of the programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audio-visual works MEDIA II met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: Between 1 July 2003 and 31 December 2004, the MEDIA Committee met in Brussels on: 15 July 2003, 22 September 2003, 31 October 2003, 12 November 2003, 10 December 2003 (Italian presidency), 20 February 2004, 25 March 2004 (Irish presidency) 16 July 2004 and 22 October 2004 (Dutch presidency) and in Athens on 12 November 2004 (Dutch presidency). The UK was represented at all these meetings, either by DCMS officials or UK Film Council representative or both.

Government Art Collection

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government Art Collection has spent on new works of art in each of the last 10 years; where each item purchased since 1997 is located; and whether each is accessible to the public.

Estelle Morris: The following figures represent how much the Government Art Collection (GAC) has spent on works of art in the last 10 financial years and the current financial year.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 199495 127,000 
			 199596 83,000 
			 199697 123,000 
			 199798 137,000 
			 199899 127,000 
			 19992000 179,000 
			 200001 135,000 
			 200102 158,000 
			 200203 253,600 
			 200304 225,200 
			 200405(16) 110,500 
		
	
	(16) includes purchases up to 15 February 2005
	Some works of art have been purchased or commissioned by other Government Departments.
	A list of the current locations of works of art purchased since 1997 (as of 17 February 2005), and listed by Government Department and GAC, is provided in a separate document. I am arranging for copies of this document to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The Government Art Collection is part of DCMS; its acquisition policy is guided by the Advisory Committee on the GAC which is a non-departmental public body. Members are both independent and ex-officio, including the Directors of the National Galleries.
	The GAC plays a unique role in the UK in displaying works of art from its holdings in major Government buildings at home and abroad, in order to promote British art, culture and history. Due to the nature of Government buildings and current security issues, it is not possible for the general public to gain open access to most of the works on a daily basis. However, the buildings in which works of art are displayedin reception rooms, entrance halls, Ministers' and Ambassadors' officesall receive many thousands of visitors per year, all over the world.
	Members of the public may consult the GAC to see individual works of art. Additionally, many Government buildings in the UK (including the GAC's own premises) are accessible during the annual Open House Weekend. The GAC also gives regular tours throughout the year round its premises, lends works of art to public exhibitions, and operates a website www.gac.culture.gov.uk listing and illustrating all its original works of art. A growing number of historical and modern prints are being added to this.

Government Art Collection

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2005, Official Report, column 1724W, on Government Art Collection, how much the Government Art Collection spent in total on purchasing works of art in each of the last 15 years.

Estelle Morris: The following figures represent how much the Government Art Collection (GAC) has spent on works of art in the last 15 financial years and the current financial year.
	
		
			 Financial year  
		
		
			 198990 98,000 
			 199091 96,000 
			 199192 116,000 
			 199293 137,000 
			 199394 123,000 
			 199495 127,000 
			 199596 83,000 
			 199697 123,000 
			 199798 137,000 
			 199899 127,000 
			 19992000 179,000 
			 200001 135,006 
			 200102 158,000 
			 200203 253,600 
			 200304 225,200 
			 200405(17) 110,500 
		
	
	(17) Includes purchases up to 15 February 2005.
	Some works of art have been purchased or commissioned by other Government Departments.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the membership and political background of the members of (a) non-departmental public bodies of the (i) Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, (ii) Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, (iii) Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, (iv) Department of Education, (v) Department of Environment, (vi) Department of Employment and Learning, (vii) Department of Health and Social Services, (viii) Department of Regional Development, (ix) Department of Social Development and (x) Office of the First and Deputy First Minister and (b) health and personal social services bodies.

Paul Murphy: Those appointed to the boards of non-departmental public bodies and health and personal social services bodies are not required to declare their political background. However, they are asked to declare any significant political activity they may have undertaken in the five years prior to the date of their application.
	Information on the membership and declared political activity of applicants and appointees to bodies sponsored by the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration can be found in the Public Appointments Annual Reports, the most recent of which was published in 2004.
	The reports are available from the Library of the House and can be found on the Internet at www.ofmdfinni.gov.uk/publicappointments.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Official Residences

Chris Grayling: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the official residences for which his Department is responsible; who occupies each one; what the annual cost is of running each property; what contribution the current occupants make towards the running costs of each; what the total capital and refurbishment expenditure has been on those properties in each of the past five years; how much money was spent in each property on (a) flowers and plants, (b) wine and entertaining, (c) food, (d) telephone bills and (e) electricity and gas in 200304; how many (i) domestic and (ii) maintenance staff are employed at each property, broken down by post; and what the total cost of staff employment at each was in 200304.

David Lammy: My Department is not responsible for any official residences.
	The Palace of Westminster is responsible for the maintenance of the Lord Chancellor's residence in the House of Lords and for any work that needs to be carried out. There are no permanent staff employed at the residence. The Lord Chancellor's Private Office is responsible for the administration of the residence in terms of organising tours of the residence and keeping the diary of charitable functions. The Department does not make any contributions to the running cost of the residence. No refurbishment work has been carried out in the last five years.
	The cost of (a) flowers and plants, (b) wine and entertaining and (c) food for the past five years is as follows:
	(a) Flowers and Plants
	2004609.23
	200527
	(b) Wine and Entertaining
	2005248.76
	2004- 2,914.12
	2003- 841.49
	(c) Food
	20055,286.46
	200429,440.78
	20038,447.71
	No figures are available centrally before 2003

Visa Appeals

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many visitor visa appeals were successful in 2004.

David Lammy: The latest information taken from IRIS, the electronic database of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), indicates that 10,918 of the family visitor visa appeals promulgated by Immigration Adjudicators during 2004 were decided in favour of the appellant.

Visa Appeals

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many of the successful visitor visa appeals in 2004 were (a) oral and (b) written.

David Lammy: The latest information taken from IRIS, the electronic database of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), indicates that of the 10,918 family visitor visa appeals promulgated by Immigration Adjudicators in 2004, and decided in favour of the appellant, 6,863 were oral appeals, and 4,055 were appeals determined on the papers alone.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Anti-social Behaviour Act

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crack house closures have been secured under the provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 in (a) Birmingham, (b) Bristol, (c) Leeds, (d) Liverpool, (e) Manchester, (f) Newcastle, (g) Nottingham and (h) Sheffield.

Caroline Flint: Data are not collected on a city basis. The latest available information is for closure orders by Government office region for the cities named for the period 20 January to end September 2004 is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 (a) West Midlands 3 
			 (b) South West 24 
			 (c and h) Yorkshire and Humber 4 
			 (d and e) North West 13 
			 (f) North East 7 
			 (g) East Midlands 10 
		
	
	Use of the crack house antisocial behaviour powers form a key part of Operation Crackdown, the national police enforcement three month campaign that is currently running until the end of March and has been signed up to by 33 police forces in England and Wales.

Armed Police

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many armed police officers are employed by the Metropolitan Police Force.

Caroline Flint: The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that his force had 2,209 firearms officers as at 7 February 2005.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he will reply to the letter dated 29 November 2004 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. S. Bhakar;
	(2)  when he will reply to the letter dated 29 November from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. S Bhakar.

Charles Clarke: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 18 January 2005.

Cycling

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the risk to pedestrians in Central London of cyclists ignoring red traffic signals;
	(2)  what advice he has given to police forces on identification and apprehension of cyclists who are observed ignoring red traffic signals;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to ensure active enforcement against cyclists ignoring red traffic signals.

Caroline Flint: It is an offence for a cyclist not to comply with light signals controlling traffic.
	Chief officers of police are best placed to decide on the level of priority given to this offence in the light of its perceived seriousness, conflicting demands on police time and resources, and local circumstances.
	As with other offending we would encourage members of the public to give evidence of specific problems and of particularly dangerous behaviour to the police. This will help ensure that the police target their responses effectively.
	No assessment has been made of the risk to pedestrians in central London of cyclists failing to comply with light signals controlling traffic.

Cycling

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for the offence of cycling on a pavement since 1 August 1999.

Caroline Flint: Figures on fixed penalty notices for pedal cycle offences are not collected centrally. However results from a special exercise undertaken to monitor new fixed penalties introduced on 1 August 1999 showed that in England and Wales for the period 1 August 1999 to 31 December 1999 there were 665 fixed penalty notices issued for the offence of cycling on a footway. A second exercise undertaken for the calendar year 2000 showed 821 fixed penalty notices issued for the offence.
	The exercise has not been repeated.

Cycling

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2005, Official Report, column 895W, on cycling, how many cyclists involved in road accidents were reported as cycling without lights in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: It is not possible from the information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database to identify from the number of cyclists cautioned or proceeded against for lighting and reflector offences, what number were involved in road accidents, as the circumstances of the offence are not collected centrally.

Drugs

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for supplying class A drugs to children in each of the last six years.

Caroline Flint: Figures for the number of people arrested for supplying class A drugs to children are not collated centrally. However, we do have figures for the number of people arrested 1 for supplying main class A drugs in each of the last six years.
	This information can found in the Home Office Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics Supplementary Tables 2001 and 2002 publication which can be accessed via the RDS website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/hosb0804supp.pdf. Tables required within this publication are as follows:
	
		
			 Drug type Location 
		
		
			 Cocaine Table S2.17 
			 Crack Table S2.17a 
			 Heroin Table S2.19 
			 LSD Table S2.21 
			 Ecstasy-type Table S2.23 
			 Methadone Table S2.25 
		
	
	1 Found guilty, cautioned or dealt with by compounding.

Drugs

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what area surveys of illicit drug use have been conducted by his Department; and which age groups they covered.

Caroline Flint: The main survey of drug use commissioned by the Home Office is the British Crime Survey, which measures illicit drug use among the general household population aged 16 to 59 years in England and Wales. Comparable information on drug use from this survey is available from 1996 and it is now conducted on a continuous yearly basis. In addition, the Home Office co-funds (with the Department of Health) a regular survey of smoking, drinking and drug use among schoolchildren aged 11 to 15 years in England. This has been carried out since 1986 but has not always cover drug use. Another Home Office survey, the Crime and Justice Survey, obtained information on illicit drug use among the general population aged 10 to 65 in England in 2003 and will provide follow-up data on drug use for the 10 to 25-year-olds in 2004 and 2005.
	Other Home Office surveys which cover illicit drug use among other population groups but do not provide time series at present are:
	the Arrestee Survey, a survey of arresteees aged 17 and over in a sample of custody suites in England and Wales (conducted since October 2003);
	the Prisoners Criminality Survey, a survey of criminality among male prisoners in England and Wales was conducted in 2000. This survey asked about their drug use in the 12 months prior to custody;
	the Community Penalties Criminality Survey, a survey of males and females serving community sentences throughout England and Wales was conducted in 2002. This survey asked about their drug use in the 12 months prior to interview;
	the Survey of Mandatory Drug Testing in Prisons carried out in a representative sample of prisons in England and Wales in 2001 included questions on prisoners' illicit drug use prior to and in custody;
	the 2001 Resettlement Survey included questions on prisoners illicit drug use before custody. The survey was a representative sample, which included participants from 76 prisons in England and Wales, with booster samples of female and young offenders. The youngest offenders included in the survey were aged 15.

Drugs

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders per head of population charged with trigger offences have tested positive for (a) opiates and (b) crack cocaine in (i) Birmingham, (ii) Bristol, (iii) Leeds, (iv) Liverpool, (v) Manchester, (vi) Newcastle, (vii) Nottingham and (viii) Sheffield in the last 12 months.

Caroline Flint: The Home Office does not collect drug test data based on offenders per head of population. Instead, data is collected on drug tests arising from offenders charged with specified offences in 47 DAT areas with the highest levels of acquisitive crime. The following table breaks down the positive drug test results recorded for opiates (heroin), cocaine/crack or both in relevant areas between JanuaryDecember 2004.
	
		
			 DAT Both (cocaine/crack and heroin) Cocaine/crack only Heroin only 
		
		
			 Birmingham 719 452 525 
			 Bristol 552 299 215 
			 Leeds 782 491 729 
			 Liverpool 926 363 227 
			 Manchester 663 468 353 
			 Newcastle 65 125 244 
			 Nottingham 831 500 370 
			 Sheffield 440 239 238 
		
	
	Source:
	DIP Monthly Monitoring Reports
	The data incorporate positive drug test results arising from trigger and non-trigger offences. Five per cent of the data can be attributed to positive drug test results resulting from non-trigger offences.

Drugs

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the percentage of crime linked to drug misuse in (a) Birmingham, (b) Bristol, (c) Leeds, (d) Liverpool, (e) Manchester, (f) Newcastle, (g) Nottingham and (h) Sheffield in the last 12 months.

Caroline Flint: Recorded crime figures are used to measure the extent of crime in local areas. Although these include statistics on drugs offencessuch as possessionand on property crimessuch as burglarythey do not contain information on the offender's drug habits. It is therefore not possible to estimate from these statistics the percentage of all crime which is linked to the need to support a drug habit.
	However, since April 2003 offenders charged in certain areas with certain offences known to be commonly committed by drug users have been tested for opiates (heroin) and cocaine/crack as part of the Drug Interventions Programme. The following table summarises the total number of offenders tested, and the numbers and percentages of those testing positive for opiates or crack/cocaine between January and December 2004 in the 47 DATs that operate drug testing on charge as part of the Drug Interventions Programme. This gives some indication of the proportion of property crime that may be linked to drug use, although it should be noted that not all crime by drug users is necessarily committed to support their habit.
	
		Summary table of drug testing results JanuaryDecember 2004
		
			 Area Numbers tested Numbers testing positive Percentage testing positive 
		
		
			 Birmingham 3,808 1,696 45 
			 Bristol 1,734 1,066 61 
			 Leeds 4,309 2,002 46 
			 Liverpool 2,634 1,516 58 
			 Manchester 3,440 1,484 43 
			 Newcastle 1,293 434 34 
			 Nottingham 3,221 1,701 53 
			 Sheffield 1,874 917 49 
		
	
	Source:
	DIP Monthly Monitoring Reports

Drugs

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantity of illegal drugs was seized in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; and what the estimated street value was of these drugs.

Caroline Flint: Data on the quantity of the main illegal drugs seized in the United Kingdom is available in the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002 Home Office statistical bulletin, for which figures are currently available. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
	The data related to the estimated street value of drugs seized in 2000 (the last year for which the data was collated by the Home Office) is available in Table A: Value at street prices of main drug types seized by police and Customs, United Kingdom 2000 (page 27) of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom 2000 publication.

Drugs

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to ensure that drug users and the wider public are made aware of (a) what drug treatment involves and (b) the potential benefits of drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government recognise the importance of making the public aware of drug treatment and its potential benefits. The Department has taken steps to increase awareness through the Updated Drugs Strategy, published in 2002 and Tackling DrugsChanging Lives, which was published in December 2004 and details progress on all areas of the drugs strategy since its launch in 1998.
	Both these documents describe what drug treatment involves including the benefits of drug treatment as well as the actions that the Government are taking to get more users into treatment.
	An awareness and communications campaign called FRANK was launched by the Government in 2003. This 3 million a year campaign informs young people and their parents, carers and families about the effects and risks of taking illicit drugs, and gives advice, support and all details of drug treatment services.

Drugs

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that drug treatment should be available on demand in the community.

Caroline Flint: Waiting times for drug treatment are at their lowest ever and 54 per cent. more people are in treatment than in 1998. Drug treatment is available to individuals based on their needs. Drug Action Teams (DATs) are responsible for assessing local needs and then commissioning services accordingly to meet the assessed needs of individuals, using the Drug Pooled Treatment Budget and other mainstream funds. In 2004, the Government announced significant year-on-year increases in the Pooled Treatment Budget from 253 million nationally in 200405 to 478 million nationally by 200708.

Drugs

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes he estimates were committed by drug users in (a) England, (b) the North West and (c) Lancashire in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: Recorded crime and other measures of crime currently available at regional and national level do not contain information on the offender's drug habits. It is therefore not possible at present to estimate the number of crimes committed by drug users in England, the North West and Lancashire.

Drugs

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for drug-related crime there were in the Easington constituency in the last year for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: Official conviction figures include statistics on convictions for drugs offences, such as possession, supply, and on property crimes such as burglary, but do not contain information on the offender's drug habits. It is therefore not possible to estimate the volume of convictions which are linked to the use of drugs or to the operation of drug markets.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for drugs offences is available for police force areas only and it is not possible therefore to give an estimate for Easington alone. For the Durham police force area, there were 1,180 convictions for drugs offences in 2001. The equivalent estimate for 2002 is 1,200. This information is available in the Area Tables of the 'Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, UK, 2001 and 2002' filed in the House Library.

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the change in the price of (a) heroin, (b) cocaine, (c) crack, (d) cannabis, (e) ecstasy and (f) magic mushrooms has been in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: UK average prices per gram or unit cost for heroin, cocaine, crack, cannabis resin, herbal cannabis and ecstasy for the past five years are shown in the following table. We do not hold any information on magic mushrooms.
	The figures in the table are worked out on the basis of information provided by all UK law enforcement. However our current picture is limited. For example, no consideration is currently taken of purity or weighting for size of local markets in producing this figure. NCIS is currently reviewing this.
	
		UK average drug prices 1999 to 2004
		
			 As at December each year Herbal Cannabis ( per ounce) Cannabis Resin  ( per ounce) Cocaine ( per gram) Crack ( per 0.2g rock) Heroin ( per gram) Ecstasy ( per dose) 
		
		
			 1999 89 100 63 20 65 11 
			 2000 82 85 65 23 70 9 
			 2001 80 77 60 21 63 7 
			 2002 83 81 56 20 61 6 
			 2003 72 66 55 19 62 5 
			 2004 72 61 51 18 55 4

Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list organisations and individuals consulted in the formulation of the Drugs Bill.

Caroline Flint: The information requested by my hon. Friend is included within the regulatory impact assessment, at paragraphs 1.8, 2.9, 3.9 and 4.2.8. The regulatory impact assessment is available on the Home Office website and in the Library.

Drugs

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people in Greater London who took (a) heroin, (b) marijuana, (c) cocaine and (d) ecstasy in each of the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: The British Crime Survey (BCS) in England and Wales provides estimates of the proportion of people living in private households who used drugs in the year before interview. In recent years, the sample size has been increased and reliable estimates of drug use by region are possible. A regional analysis was carried out for the 2001/02 BCS, and provided estimates of the proportion of people using different types of drugs for the Government Office Region (GOR) of London which are shown in the table.
	
		Table: Proportion of people aged 16 to 59 in the London GOR who used (a) heroin (b) marijuana (c) cocaine and (d) ecstasy in 200102 according to the British Crime Survey
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Heroin 0.1 
			 Marijuana 14.0 
			 Cocaine 4.2 
			 Ecstasy 3.5 
		
	
	Estimates of the number of drug users by region have not been made. There are also no directly comparable estimates for drug use by region published for earlier years. However, comparable figures for the prevalence of drug use in London will be included in a report of the drug use findings from the 200304 BCS to be published shortly.
	It should be noted that, as a household survey, the British Crime Survey inevitably excludes people resident in institutions such as prisons, the army, student halls of residence, residential drug treatment centres and the homeless. The exclusion of these groups may result in an underestimation of drug taking prevalence.

Drugs

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for selling drugs where there was evidence of drug selling near schools there were in (a) Birmingham, (b) Bristol, (c) Leeds, (d) Liverpool, (e) Manchester, (f) Newcastle, (g) Nottingham and (h) Sheffield in the last year for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: It is not possible from the information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database to identify whether a person was proceeded against for selling drugs outside a school, as the circumstances of the offence are not collected centrally.

Drugs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for (a) dealing in and (b) being in possession of (i) cocaine and (ii) LSD (A) Essex police and (B) Southend police have brought successfully in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Data for cocaine and LSD drug possession and dealing prosecutions are currently not collated in the format requested.
	Data on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for cocaine and LSD drug offences, and the number of possession and dealing offences in the Essex police force area, are available in the appropriate sections in the Area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002, (the most recent year for which figures are currently available). Copies are available in the Library.

Drugs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for (a) dealing in and (b) being in possession of (i) ecstasy and (ii) heroin (A) Essex police and (B) Southend police have brought successfully in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Data for ecstasy and heroin drug possession and dealing prosecutions is currently not collated in the format requested.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for ecstasy and heroin drug offences and the number of possession and dealing offences in the Essex police force area are available in the appropriate sections in the Area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002, (the most recent year for which figures are currently available). Copies are available in the Library.

Drugs

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for (a) dealing in and (b) being in possession of (i) amphetamines and (ii) cannabis (A) Essex police and (B) Southend police have brought successfully in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Data for amphetamines and cannabis drug possession and dealing prosecutions is currently not collated in the format requested.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for amphetamines and cannabis drug offences and the number of possession and dealing offences in the Essex police force area are available in the appropriate sections in the Area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender statistics, United Kingdom, 2001 and 2002, (the most recent year for which figures are currently available). Copies are available in the Library.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There were no meetings of the Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes during the Italian, Irish and Dutch Presidency of the EU.
	Article 22 (3) of Directive 86/609/EEC (on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes) provides for the Commission to establish
	a permanent consultative committee within which the member states would be represented, which will assist the Commission in organising the exchange of appropriate information, while respecting the requirements of confidentiality, and which will also assist the Commission in the other questions raised by the application of this Directive.
	The Commission made a decision on 9 February 1990 (90/67/EEC) for setting up the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Animals for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes under Article 22 of the Directive, including provision for representation and working methods. However, the Committee has never been established. The Commission has made a recommendation for the Directive to be revised. In its initial comments on what amendments might be considered, the United Kingdom has suggested that the Commission should consider either dispensing with or establishing the Advisory Committee.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the programme training, exchanges and co-operation in the field of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders (Odysseus) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Odysseus funding programme expired in 2002 and was replaced by a funding programme known as ARGO. The Management Committee of ARGO last met on 5 November 2003 in Brussels. The UK was represented at this Committee by a Home Office official and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels. The Committee did not meet during the Irish or Dutch Presidencies of the EU.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children (STOP) and (ii) Committee for the implementation of the programme of incentives and exchanges for legal practitioners (Grotius general and criminal) met; when and where each meeting took place; what UK Government expert was present at each meeting; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for the prevention of crime (Hippocrates) met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for the implementation of the Joint Action establishing a programme of exchanges, training and co-operation for persons responsible for action to combat organised crime (Falcone) met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The STOP II, Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius (general and criminal) funding programmes expired on 31 December 2002. Their Management Committees last met on 23 and 24 July 2002 to agree the successful projects for funding for that final year. They have since been replaced by a single funding programme known as AGIS.
	During the period 1 July 2003 to 31 December 2004 the AGIS Management Committee met three times. On 14 October 2003 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2004. On 27 May 2004 it discussed the evaluation of bids for 2004. On 16 September 2004 it met to discuss the draft annual work programme and call for bids for 2005. Before each meeting the Home Office conducted preparatory consultations with past bidders, stakeholders, agencies and devolved Administrations to discuss the UK's position in the Committee.
	The Committee meetings take place in Brussels. The UK is generally represented at meetings of these Committees by Home Office officials and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
	The composition of the UK delegation is always agreed beforehand and it is possible for Scottish Executive officials to attend meetings of the Committees as part of the UK delegation.

Europol

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Initiative 2004/C 317/06, OJ C317 of 22 December 2004, the designation of Europol as the central office for combating euro counterfeiting; what additional responsibilities Europol officers will have; what additional rights ensue with regard to (a) activities in the United Kingdom, (b) required liaison by UK officers, (c) obligations by UK courts and (d) the charging of criminals and the location of their hearings; and for what reasons the UK has agreed to sponsor this initiative.

Caroline Flint: The initiative to designate Europol as the central office for combating euro counterfeiting is still being discussed in the Council of Ministers. Its aim is to make Europol a central point at which EU member states and third countries can share information in relation to euro counterfeiting.
	Euro counterfeiting is a growing area of crime. The UK Government considers that this initiative would improve the effectiveness of the fight against euro counterfeiting and consequently agreed to co-sponsor it.
	The designation will not affect the responsibilities, rights or powers of Europol officers or Europol staff in the UK or elsewhere.
	The Bank of England is the designated National Central Office in the UK and as such acts on behalf of the European Central Bank in the UK for matters relating to the counterfeiting of euro banknotes. UK officers send any counterfeit currencies found in the UK to the National Criminal Intelligence Service in the first instance. Counterfeit euros or English sterling are then sent on to the Bank of England which will represent the European Central Bank in court proceedings in the UK. UK officers supplying or requesting information about euro counterfeiting would liaise with Europol staff in the usual way. The initiative creates no new obligations for the UK courts, or in respect of charges or the location of hearings. Charges may be brought in the UK courts for euro counterfeiting crimes.

Europol

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the raids which have been conducted by Europol in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: Europol is not an operational police force and its staff do not have operational powers. Europol does not conduct any raids.
	Since the UK recently ratified the 2002 Protocol amending the convention on the establishment of the European Police office (Europol Convention) and the Protocol on the privileges and immunities of Europol, the members of its organs, the deputy directors and the employees of Europol, Europol staff members are able to be present when joint investigation teams carry out coercive measures. However they will not have any operational powers when they are present in those situations.

Extradition (United States)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure reciprocity of extradition arrangements with the United States, following the recent agreement allowing British nationals to be handed over to the US authorities to face charges for any criminal offence.

Caroline Flint: Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that the extradition treaty concluded with the USA on 31 March 2003 is broadly reciprocal, and that there are sufficient safeguards in the treaty and in the Extradition Act 2003, which governs extradition requirements in the UK, to prevent unfairness.
	The arrangements apply only to serious criminal charges, as defined in the Treaty and the Extradition Act 2003, these being punishable under the laws of both States by deprivation of liberty for a period of one year or more. This modernises the definition of an extradition offence in line with international practice. Both nations have been prepared to extradite their own citizens to each other, and to other states with whom they have had arrangements, since the 19th century.

Extradition (United States)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the House was informed of the content of the treaty amendment agreed in 2003 between the USA and the United Kingdom relating to extradition; and if he will place a copy of the treaty amendment in the Library.

Caroline Flint: The text of the treaty was presented to Parliament in May 2003, and was published as a Command Paper on 22 May 2003. A copy of the new treaty was placed in the Library.

Extradition (United States)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the URL is for the internet text of the US/UK extradition treaty as amended in 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The link for the US/UK bilateral extradition treaty can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, at www.fco.gov.uk. The document is available in pdf format under the Command Papers section on the FCO site.

Extradition (United States)

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths were caused by (a) legally held and (b) illegally held firearms in each year since 1996.

Caroline Flint: There have been concerns over the quality of this data and, as a result, it has not been published. Because of these concerns, and following consultation with the police service, this data item ceased to be collected centrally from 1 April 2004.

Extradition (United States)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civilians have been issued with a licence to own a pistol for self-defence pursuant to section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 in England and Wales in each of the last five years, broken down by county.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 10 February 2005
	None.

Forensic Science Service

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the future of the Forensic Science Service;
	(2)  what representations he has received on the future of the Forensic Science Service.

Caroline Flint: As my statement of 11 January made clear, it is the Government's intention to transform the Forensic Science Service (FSS) into a wholly owned Government company (GovCo) during the course of this year. It is intended that GovCo should be a success, but we recognise that, in future, it may need access to private sector capital and skills in order to meet its full potential.
	I recognise that there have been a range of representations expressing concern about our proposals for the FSS, but my statement made clear the need for change in the face of increased competition, the emergence of new technology and the action of the police service to achieve strategic market management.

Identity Cards

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what arrangements he plans to put in place for Swedish citizens resident in the UK in relation to identity cards and access to public services;
	(2)  whether the Danish biometric passport will be an accepted form of identification for Danish citizens in the UK to access public services;
	(3)  whether EU citizens will be required to (a) register for and (b) use a UK identity card to access public services in England and Wales.

Des Browne: In accordance with EU law, all EU nationals who come to stay in the UK from a specified date for more than three months will be required to enrol on the National Identity Register. The specified date will be set by Parliament in regulations. For those EU nationals who are already resident, the scheme would become compulsory if it became compulsory for British citizens to register, though EU nationals could choose to register voluntarily. Any EU nationals who are not required to register may, as now, use their national passport or identity card as proof of identity. EU legislation will require the incorporation of digital facial image and fingerprint biometrics from 2008. It is for each public service to decide how it will require its users to demonstrate their identity, irrespective of nationality. The Identity Cards Bill provides powers for Parliament to approve regulations specifying how individual non-devolved public services may use the Identity Cards Scheme to verify identity.

Inland Revenue

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department conducted an assessment of the impact that the measures in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill would have upon the activities of the Inland Revenue, including its use of third party members of the public assisting it in investigating taxpayers' compliance with Revenue law.

Caroline Flint: The inclusion of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, in Schedule 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill, as relevant authorities for the purposes of section 28 (the authorisation of directed surveillance) and section 29 (the authorisation of covert human intelligence sources) was on the basis of the Inland Revenue having identified a necessary and proportionate requirement to authorise the conduct of directed surveillance and the use of covert human intelligence sources.

Inquests (Teesside)

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inquests in the jurisdiction of the Teesside coroner were heard in (a) August, (b) September, (c) October, (d) November and (e) December 2004 by the (i) coroner, (ii) deputy coroner and (iii) assistant deputy coroner.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is given in the table.
	
		HM Coroner TeessideNumber of cases
		
			  Inquests heard by: 
			  Coroner Deputy coroner Assistant deputy coroner 
		
		
			 August 2004 18 2 2 
			 September 2004 25 2 12 
			 October 2004 16 3 4 
			 November 2004 22 2 2 
			 December 2004 17 5 3 
			 January 2005 16 3 3 
		
	
	This table includes all inquests concluded in the relevant months (i.e. a verdict delivered, or the coroner has declared that the inquest is not to be resumed after an adjournment under Section 16 of the Coroners Act 1988).

International Organisations Bill

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Europol informants would be protected by the provisions contained in the International Organisations Bill, with particular reference to clause 5 (3) (b) .

Caroline Flint: Europol is not operational and has no operational powers. It supports law-enforcement agencies in combating serious organised crime. Europol does not use informants, and so there are no issues of privileges and immunities as outlined in the International Organisations Bill.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 25 and 26 October 2004; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, Cathy Jamieson (Scottish Minister for Justice) and I represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on the 2526 October 2004.
	A list of A points approved (with the exception of items 11 and 32, which were withdrawn) at the Council has been placed in the Library (Document PTS A 50 13815/04). The UK tabled a Declaration on item 1 (European Border Agency), in relation to its participation and its position regarding Gibraltar.
	The main discussion at the Council centred around the new multi-annual work programme, the Hague Programme, which follows on from the programme agreed at the Tampere European Council in 1999.
	The Home Secretary and I welcomed the Presidency's emphasis on evaluation and implementation within the Programme and the importance of delivering work at an EU level which was of demonstrable benefit to the EU's citizens. There was also a useful focus on key areas of work which the UK had been pushing for: on closer police co-operation and more intelligence led policing; on mutual recognition of judicial decisions, respecting the diversity of member states' legal traditions; on biometrics and strengthening our external borders; and on working more closely together to combat terrorism and organised crime.
	In areas where the draft text was less welcome, such as on asylum and parts of criminal justice, we intervened robustly to protect the United Kingdom's interests. The final draft of the Programme went to the European Council on 5 November for final agreement. The final draft accommodated our key priorities and provided a strong foundation for work at an EU level over the next five years which will be beneficial for the UK.
	With regard to other issues on the agenda, the Presidency put forward a compromise solution on the time scale for including biometrics in passports. This would be 18 months from adoption of the Regulation for a first identifier (digital facial image) and 36 months from adoption for the second (fingerprint). I was able to support this as a means to ensure greater security for our borders. The text of the draft Regulation was agreed in principle.
	The Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinator (De Vries) outlined to the Council the progress which had been made on peer evaluations. An interim report, covering the 15 old member states, was discussed at the Council on 23 December. A similar report on the new member states will be prepared during 2005.
	The Council did not reach an agreement on the issue of proposed amendments to the Framework Decision on Ship Source Pollution. The Presidency concluded that the issue would be sent to the European Council for further discussion.
	The Commission presented its initiative for a Council Decision on the exchange of information from criminal records. This was a first step in meeting the mandate from the March European Council for a register of convictions and disqualifications. The Presidency confirmed that the Commission proposal would be further discussed in the Working Group.
	In considering other business, the Presidency confirmed its intention to adopt Council Conclusions on improving access to durable solutions and on the development of a common readmission policy, which were subsequently adopted at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 2 November.
	The Commission reported on the evaluation of the Drugs Action Plan for 200004. The evaluation assessed the impact of achievements to date and assessed the areas where more could be done. The Commission called for a future strategy to include clear aims, operational indicators and responsibilities, in order to meet these challenges.
	Also during the Council, on behalf of the UK, I signed the agreement between Switzerland and the EU and EC, regarding their participation in the Schengen acquis. This means that they now join Norway and Iceland in attending Mixed Committees.

Knives

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to outlaw the sale of knives to those under the age of 18 years.

Caroline Flint: As we announced on 15 December 2004 the Government are looking at a range of measures, including a ban on the sale of knives to the under 18s, to tackle knife crime. We expect to say more shortly about how we will take this forward.

Mental Health

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health concerning people who have mental health problems.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office is working in partnership with the Department of Health on a range of issues concerning mental disorder.
	We are concerned to ensure that mentally disordered people who commit offences are not sent to prison inappropriately, by promoting court diversion schemes and flexible sentencing options for the courts. We are working together to develop services for dangerous offenders with severe personality disorder, and we are improving mental health services in prisons through the development of mental health in-reach services.
	To ensure that these developments are managed in a co-ordinated fashion, a new cross cutting Directorate was launched on 1 October 2004, incorporating relevant organisations from both Departments.

Operation Reptile

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of Operation Reptile was.

Caroline Flint: The costs arising from the Operation to date are 130,000.

Police

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police dogs and (b) police horses are available to Lancashire police.

Caroline Flint: Lancashire constabulary tell me that they have 67 police dogs and 17 police horses available in their force area. They also use police horses from other forces, through mutual aid arrangements, for crowd management.

Police

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are trained to use (a) guns and (b) taser guns.

Caroline Flint: The number of Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) trained to use conventional firearms for 200304 was 6096. The Home Secretary has approved the M26 Taser in England and Wales for use by Authorised Firearms Officers as a less lethal alternative in circumstances in which a firearms authority has been granted in accordance with criteria laid down in the ACPO Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms. We do not hold information centrally on the number of Authorised Firearms Officers who have been trained to use tasers.

Police

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many convictions for drug-related crime have been secured in Durham since 2001;
	(2)  how many convictions for drug-related crime have been secured in North Durham since 2001.

Caroline Flint: Official conviction figures include statistics on convictions for drugs offences, such as possession, supply, and on property crimes such as burglary, but do not contain information on the offender's drug habits. It is therefore not possible to estimate the volume of convictions which are linked to the use of drugs or to the operation of drug markets.
	Information on the number of known drug offenders found guilty or cautioned for drugs offences is available for police force areas only and it is not possible therefore to give an estimate for North Durham alone. For the Durham police force area, there were 1,180 convictions for drugs offences in 2001. The equivalent estimate for 2002 is 1,200. This information is available in the area tables of the Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, UK, 2001 and 2002 filed in the House Library.

Proceeds of Crime Act

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; and if he will introduce further legislation to increase the powers of the (a) police and (b) courts to seize all (i) property and (ii) money gained from illegal activities.

Caroline Flint: The total amount of money recovered in the United Kingdom under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 since the Act came into force on 24 February 2003 is 25,484,192. The Proceeds of Crime Act already allows for the seizure of cash and the freezing of all property and assets that are derived from crime. The value of property and assets are then recovered following their sale. The Act contains significant new powers to investigate and recover criminal assets. It established a dedicated Assets Recovery Agency with new powers of civil recovery and taxation of criminal assets. We are determined that the powers in the Act will be used to the full to recover the proceeds of crime. There are no plans at this time to introduce further powers on recovering the proceeds of crime.

Proceeds of Crime Act

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value of all recoveries made under the Proceeds of Crime Act has been since it came into effect.

Caroline Flint: The total amount of money recovered in the United Kingdom under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 since the Act came into force on 24 February 2003 is 28,700,501.

Replica Guns

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions there are on the sale of replica guns; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 3 February 2005
	Under the Firearms Act 1982, imitation firearms that are readily convertible to fire live ammunition are treated in law as real, working guns and are therefore prohibited or require a firearms certificate. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduced a new mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment for the unlawful sale or possession of prohibited firearms. There are otherwise no restrictions on the sale of imitation firearms, some of which are capable of discharging low powered projectiles and some not. Any imitation sold as a toy must not have an energy level in excess of 0.08 joule.
	The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced a new offence of carrying an imitation firearm in public without reasonable excuse. The police believe that this is a significant contribution to dealing with problems of misuse as they can now challenge anyone seen in public with an imitation and can arrest them if they do not have a reasonable explanation. It is also an offence to possess an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
	We are looking at the need for further controls as part of our current comprehensive review of firearms legislation.

Security Industry Authority

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what budget has been allocated to the Security Industry Authority in each of the last two years

Caroline Flint: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) became a legal entity on 1 April 2003. It became operational on 1 March 2004 with the commencement of the rollout of door-supervisor licensing. It is intended that SIA will, in due course, be self-funding from fee revenue.
	The level of grant in aid paid (or due to be paid) to the SIA in the financial year 200304 was 7.113 million; this was increased to 25.995 million in the current financial year, 200405.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for the decision that National Crime Squad and National Criminal Intelligence Service officers transferring to the Serious Organised Crime Agency should have the status of holder of the Office of Constable and the powers of police officers.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 21 December 2004
	All permanent staff transferring to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) from precursor agencies will become SOCA employees, with any previous office held in suspense. They may be designated with police, customs or immigration powers according to operational needs (subject to suitability and training).
	Staff will be able to develop careers across the whole range of SOCA activities, and the Agency will be able to make the most effective use of the experience, skills and potential available to it.

Speeding

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what speed drivers found guilty of speeding offences automatically qualify for (a) speed awareness workshops and (b) refresher driving courses; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Attendance at a speed awareness workshop or refresher driving course is offered to drivers by some forces as an alternative to prosecution. It is a matter for individual chief officers of police to decide in what circumstances such an offer is made, including at what speed a driver has been recorded as travelling.

Speeding

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals received (a) points penalties and (b) convictions in respect of speeding offences in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: Available data, given in the tables, shows the number of fixed penalty notices issued and convictions and endorsements imposed at all courts for speeding offences within England and Wales from 1998 to 2002 (latest available).
	2003 data will be available in March 2005.
	
		Fixed penalty notices issued, for speeding offences(18), 19982002, England and Wales
		
			  Number issued (Thousand) 
		
		
			 1998 781 
			 1999 825 
			 2000 989 
			 2001 1,233 
			 2001 1,505 
		
	
	(18) Including speeding offences detected by camera.
	
		Total findings of guilt and endorsements(19) without disqualifications imposed at all courts, for speeding offences(20), 1998 to 2002, England and Wales
		
			  Number of offences (Thousand) 
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Total findings of guilt 153 154 141 136 125 
			 Endorsements without disqualification 136 136 126 116 106 
		
	
	(19) Excludes penalty points given under section 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (totting up system).
	(20) Including speeding offences detected by camera

Taser Guns

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the health risks posed by the taser guns to be used by the police.

Caroline Flint: The independent medical statement on Taser provided by the Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) Sub Committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons (DOMILL) concludes that the risk of life threatening and other serious injuries is considered very low. Copies of the statements provided by DOMILL were placed in the Library of the House on 15 September 2004.

Taser Guns

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what controls will be placed on the use of taser guns by police;
	(2)  in what circumstances taser guns may be used by police.

Caroline Flint: The Home Secretary has approved the M26 Taser in England and Wales for use by Authorised Firearms Officers as a less lethal alternative in circumstances in which a firearms authority has been granted in accordance with criteria laid down in the ACPO Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms.

Halliday Report

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Halliday report on traffic offences resulting in death or serious injury to be published.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 1 February 2005
	The Home Office consultation paper Review of Road Traffic Offences involving Bad Driving was published on 3 February.

Traffic Wardens

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many traffic wardens for which his Department has responsibility operate within the Greater London area; and how many there were in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: The total numbers of traffic wardens operating within the Greater London area and employed by the Metropolitan Police Authority in each of the last five years are given in the table:
	
		Traffic warden strength
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 19992000 (21)828 
			 200001 698 
			 200102 638 
			 200203 650 
			 200304 479 
		
	
	(21) Prior to boundary changes on 1 April 2000 a small number of Metropolitan police traffic wardens operated in areas which were outside Greater London but within the Metropolitan police district.
	The Police Authority for the City of London has not employed any traffic wardens during the years for which details were requested.

Uninsured Drivers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that penalties for uninsured drivers are commensurate with the financial gain achieved by not paying insurance premiums.

Caroline Flint: The courts set fines to reflect the seriousness of the offence while taking into account the means of the offender. Therefore the fines imposed for driving while uninsured are often lower than 200, the level of the fixed penalty notice. This may be addressed in part by the Management of Offenders and Sentencing Bill. It proposes a simple statutory methodology for calculating the amount of the fine. In addition courts will have the discretion to adjust the amount of the fine up to the level of the fixed penalty that otherwise would have been imposed.
	The Criminal Justice Act 2003 introduces changes to community penalties offering courts much tougher sentences than are currently available. They will be available as an alternative to fines where the court considers the offence serious enough to warrant a community punishment.

Visa Extensions (Students)

David Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of increased student visa charges on international applications to UK universities with particular reference to science and technology and engineering courses and departments within UK universities.

Des Browne: Following on from the Home Office consultation document 'Review of Charges for Immigration Applications', I am introducing new fees for a range of immigration applications. On 7 February I published a summary and analysis of the consultation responses, the supporting Regulatory Impact Assessments and an analysis of the likely impact of the new charges on international student numbers. These documents are available on the Home Office website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

Martin Linton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to increase the supply of affordable housing in London over the next five years.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is investing nearly 1.5 billion through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme in 20042006 to provide over 21,000 affordable homes in London. Our consultation 'Housing investment in the Regions' on the regional split of housing investment for 200608 proposed that London should receive 2.3 billion to support local authority and Registered Social Landlord housing programmes, a significant proportion of which would be for affordable housing. We expect to announce the outcome of the consultation in the near future.
	In addition, English Partnerships London-Wide Initiative will provide a further 2,000 affordable homes for sale over the next five years, of which half will be available under the First Time Buyers Initiative announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 24 January 2005, Official Report, columns 2125.

Antisocial Owner-occupiers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce legislation to deal with antisocial owner-occupiers.

Keith Hill: The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to deal with antisocial behaviour specifically in relation to owner-occupiers. Existing measures are designed to work as a package across housing tenure, so antisocial behaviour can be addressed no matter where it occurs.
	Tenure-neutral measures include Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Anti-social Behaviour Orders, injunctions under Section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 and measures to tackle noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Building Regulations

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) changes and (b) additions have been made since 1993 to the Building Regulations; when each (i) change and (ii) addition came into effect; and what the estimated change to (A) the annual cost of new house construction and (B) the overall annual cost of construction resulting from each change or addition was.

Phil Hope: The principal Building Regulations were revised in 1991 and 2000, with amendments in each year except 1993 and 1996. A list of the relevant statutory instruments, is published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website and can be reached at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_buildreg/documents/page/odpm_breg_600270.hcsp.
	The text of all the instruments, including their detailed content and the date they came into force is available on the website of Her Majesty's Stationery Office by search at: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/stat.htm The text of and amendments to the 2000 Regulations are also available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's webpage mentioned above.
	Compiling estimates of the costs of all the actual changes since 1993 would incur disproportionate costs, as these are not kept as a running record. However, all proposals for change have been subject to a cost benefit or regulatory impact assessment to ensure they are justified.

Building Regulations

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) additions and (b) changes to building regulations are under development; when each is planned to take place; and what the estimated change to the annual cost of new house construction resulting from each would be.

Phil Hope: The following parts of the Building Regulations are under review:
	B (Fire safety)public consultation expected this spring.
	F (Ventilation)revised Approved Document expected to be published summer 2005, to come into force 31 December 2005.
	G (Hygiene)public consultation expected early 2006.
	L (Conservation of fuel and power)amendment to Approved Document (L1condensing boilers) April 2005; revised regulations expected to be made summer 2005. to come into force 31 December 2005.
	M (Access and use of domestic buildings)public consultation expected summer 2006.
	In addition, proposals for regulations on sustainability and security are being developed following the passing the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004.
	For parts F and L a partial regulatory impact assessment, including estimated costs of the various options for change, was published last year as part of the consultation exercise on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website and is available, as part of the relevant consultation document, at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_control/documents/contentservertemplate/odpm_index.hcst?n=l681=1.
	However, until final decisions have been taken, it would be premature to regard these estimates as definitive. For the remaining parts listed above, a partial regulatory impact assessment will be published which will assess the estimated costs and benefits of recommended changes, as part of the public consultation.

Business Rates (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the likely average increase in business rates for 2005 for commercial properties in each London borough following revaluation of properties in October 2004.

Nick Raynsford: No such estimate has been made.

Business Rates (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many properties in each London borough will benefit from the new business rate relief scheme, based on the revaluation of commercial property in 2004;
	(2)  what the average relief given to businesses under the new business rate relief scheme will be in each London borough.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Business Rates (London)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average increase in rateable value for commercial properties in each of the London boroughs is following the revaluation of businesses in October 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency has published an analysis of the Draft Rating Lists, which were published on 1 October 2004. An analysis of the changes in rateable value, arising from the revaluation, can be found on their website www.voa.qov.uk under Business Rates InformationNon Domestic Revaluation 2005 Draft Lists Statistics.

Consent Regimes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2005, Official Report, column 1576W, on consents, if he will list the consent regimes that regulate the activities of local government that the Government have resolved to maintain.

Nick Raynsford: Of those consent regimes identified by the 1997 Efficiency Scrutiny, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no immediate plans to deregulate the 56 powers listed as follows. 36 of those 56 powers were recommended for retention by the scrutiny. Our announcement on consent regimes in September 2002 provided explanations for our retention of the additional 20 powers.
	
		
			 Description Number of powers 
		
		
			 Power to consent to employment based teacher training programmes 1 
			 Power to approve the placing of a child with special needs in a non-approved independent school 1 
			 Power to consent to use of ionising radiation in schools and colleges 1 
			 Approval of the provision of welfare services 5 
			 A power to approve the licensing of secure accommodation for children 1 
			 A power to approve an order to direct that a disease is locally notifiable, and to vary or revoke such an order 1 
			 Agreements between authorities to undertake public health functions at airports and ports 1 
			 A power to consent to the provision by a police authority of advice and assistance to international organisations and overseas bodies 1 
			 A power to implement a proposal to establish, vary or revoke a sea fisheries district order 1 
			 Power to approve a reorganisation of small holdings 1 
			 A power to consent to the exercise of land drainage powers by local authorities 1 
			 Power to consent to the delegation of housing management to an agent 1 
			 Power to approve a variation to the model registration scheme for houses in multiple occupation 1 
			 Power to set statutory upper limits on defective housing grants, but also to relax those limits in certain circumstances 3 
			 Housing Act 1985, s294. Extinguishment of public rights of way over land acquired under s290 (land acquired for clearance) 1 
			 Control over areas of special control of advertisements 1 
			 A power (Article 4 Direction) to consent to withdrawal of permitted development rights 1 
			 A power to consent to various planning matters in respect of the local planning authority itself, other than planning permission to develop land 1 
			 Three powers to confirm various orders revoking, modifying or otherwise affecting existing planning permissions or existing uses of land or existing buildings or works 3 
			 A power to confirm orders revoking or modifying listed building consent 1 
			 Approval of orders removing caravan site licence exemptions 1 
			 A power to confirm an order giving access to open country 1 
			 Confirm orders amending definitive maps 1 
			 Confirm public path orders and orders to extinguish or divert footpaths or bridle-ways to enable development 2 
			 A power to approve industrial improvement areas 1 
			 A power to confirm, amend, or revoke limestone pavement orders 1 
			 A power to introduce a requirement to seek consent relating to management schemes for marine sites involving relevant local authorities 1 
			 A power to consent to capitalisation of redundancy costs 1 
			 A power to consent to the sale or appropriation of statutory allotment land, or its use for other purposes 1 
			 A power to consent to commencing certain statutory nuisance proceedings in relation to prescribed industrial processes 1 
			 Police use of wheel clamps on highways in a local traffic authority's area 1 
			 Approval of the transfer of responsibility for enforcing on- street parking controls from the police to local traffic authorities 1 
			 Confirming orders stopping up or diverting right of way for alterations to side roads 1 
			 Two powers to consent to sale or financial restructuring of local authority-owned bus companies 2 
			 Construction of bridges/tunnels on navigable waters/ to divert a non-navigable watercourse 2 
			 Four powers to confirm traffic regulation orders (TROs) and other measures where the Secretary of State is the highway authority 4 
			 Altering tolls at statutory undertakings 1 
			 A power to approve TROs on Crown roads 1 
			 Three powers to consent to establish/maintain or acquire shares in an aerodrome, or operate an ancillary business 3 
			 A power to approve non-standard traffic calming measures 1

Consent Regimes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the consent regimes that regulate the activities of local government that have been created since May 1997.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Council Tax (Second Homes)

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of total council tax revenue raised by local authorities from charging on second homes in 200405.

Nick Raynsford: It is provisionally estimated that just over 220 million is being raised by local authorities from charging council tax on second homes in 200405.

Departmental Policies

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effect of his Department's actions and policies on Blackpool, South constituency since (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

Yvette Cooper: Along with other Government Departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to improving the lives of people across the whole of the UK. For example, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is determined that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home, and since 1997 we have reduced the number of non-decent homes nationally by one million.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides grant funding that benefits the Blackpool, South constituency through a number of programmes.
	For example over the period 200106 Blackpool has been allocated 12.8 million Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources to help the local authority, in collaboration with the Local Strategic Partnership, improve services in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the area.
	More broadly, since 1997 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been able to increase the total amount of government grant given to local authorities by 22.6 billion. This is a 33 per cent. increase in real terms. Blackpool council has received average annual increases in formula grant since 1997 of 5.3 per cent.
	The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at: http://neighbourhood.statistics. gov.uk./.

Departmental Policies

Peter Pike: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Burnley constituency, the effects on Burnley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Along with other Government Departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to improving the lives of people across the whole of the UK. For example, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is determined that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home, and since 1997 we have reduced the number of non-decent homes nationally by one million.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides grant funding that benefits the Burnley constituency through a number of programmes.
	For example over the period 200106 Burnley has been allocated 5.4 million Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources to help the local authority, in collaboration with the Local Strategic Partnership, improve services in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the area.
	More broadly, since 1997 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been able to increase the total amount of government grant given to local authorities by 22.6 billion. This is a 33 per cent. increase in real terms. Burnley council has received an average annual increase in formula grant since 1997 of 5.2 per cent. Residents of Burnley have also benefited from Lancashire county council's average annual increase in grant of 4.4 per cent.
	The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at: http://neighbourhood.statistics. gov.uk./.

Departmental Policies

Chris Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Maidenhead constituency, the effects on Maidenhead of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Along with other Government Departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to improving the lives of people across the whole of the UK. For example, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is determined that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home, and since 1997 we have reduced the number of non-decent homes nationally by one million.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides grant funding that benefits the Maidenhead constituency through a number of programmes.
	More broadly, since 1997 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been able to increase the total amount of government grant given to local authorities by 22.6 billion. This is a 33 per cent. increase in real terms. The two local authorities in Maidenhead constituency have received average annual increases in formula grant since 1997 of 3.8 per cent. for Windsor and Maidenhead and 5.9 per cent. for Wokingham.
	The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at: http://neighbourhood.statistics. gov.uk./.

Departmental Policies

Ross Cranston: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the constituency, the effects of his Department's policy since 1997 on Dudley, North constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Along with other Government Departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to improving the lives of people across the whole of the UK. For example, we are determined that everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home, and since 1997 we have reduced the number of non-decent homes nationally by one million.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides grant funding that benefits the Dudley, North constituency through a number of programmes.
	For example over the period 20012006 Dudley has been allocated 6.5 million Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources to help the local authority, in collaboration with the Local Strategic Partnership, improve services in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the area.
	Dudley metropolitan borough council was awarded a Liveability Fund grant worth a total of 3.4 million in March 2004. The grant is being used to support sustainable changes to the way the council delivers key environmental services and also to reward the council with capital grants for meeting agreed performance milestones.
	More broadly, since 1997 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been able to increase the amount of government grant given to local authorities by 22.6 billion. This is a 33 per cent. increase in real terms.
	Dudley has received average annual increases in formula grant since 1997 of 5.9 per cent.
	The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at http://neighbourhood.statistics. gov.uk./.

Entertainment Costs

George Osborne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent on entertainment by his Office in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created following the machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the following table shows how much the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Central) spent on catering, hospitality and official entertainment in 200203 and 200405.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 241,124 
			 200304 226,880 
			 200405(22) 58,090 
		
	
	(22) Spend to date.
	All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

School Fires

Jim Knight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many fires in school buildings were attended by each fire and rescue authority in England and Wales during the period from 1999 to 2004.

Nick Raynsford: The number of school fires attended between 19992000 and 200304 by Fire and Rescue services in England and Wales are tabled as follows:
	
		Fires(23) in schools, England and Wales, 19992000 to 200304(24)
		
			 Area Number 
		
		
			 England and Wales 6,882 
			   
			 England 6,469 
			   
			 EnglandNon-Met Counties 3,608 
			 Avon 126 
			 Bedfordshire 102 
			 Berkshire 122 
			 Buckinghamshire 80 
			 Cambridgeshire 73 
			 Cheshire 113 
			 Cleveland 138 
			 Cornwall 22 
			 Cumbria 66 
			 Derbyshire 94 
			 Devon 104 
			 Dorset 64 
			 Durham 76 
			 East Sussex 103 
			 Essex 94 
			 Gloucestershire 38 
			 Hampshire 194 
			 Hereford  Worcester 72 
			 Hertfordshire 109 
			 Humberside 163 
			 Isle of Wight 16 
			 Kent 146 
			 Lancashire 247 
			 Leicestershire 98 
			 Lincolnshire 50 
			 Norfolk 58 
			 North Yorkshire 104 
			 Northamptonshire 65 
			 Northumberland 27 
			 Nottinghamshire 125 
			 Oxfordshire 98 
			 Shropshire 38 
			 Somerset 67 
			 Staffordshire 146 
			 Suffolk 49 
			 Surrey 92 
			 Warwickshire 88 
			 West Sussex 114 
			 Wiltshire 34 
			   
			 EnglandMet Counties 2,860 
			 Greater Manchester 663 
			 Merseyside 317 
			 South Yorkshire 199 
			 Tyne and Wear 232 
			 West Midlands 426 
			 West Yorkshire 374 
			 Greater London 650 
			   
			 Wales 413 
			 North Wales 85 
			 Mid and West Wales 139 
			 South Wales 190 
			   
		
	
	(23) Figures are based on sampled data weighted to true brigade totals.
	(24) Provisional.
	Note:
	Excluding incidents not recorded during periods of industrial action in 2002 and 2003.
	Source:
	Returns by Fire and Rescue services to ODPM

Fire Authorities (Leaked Information)

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the evidential basis was for the assertions made in the letter to chairs of fire authorities in the south-west that one of them had leaked figures for the outline business case for regional control centres to the Fire Brigades Union;
	(2)  whether he has undertaken an investigation into how the Fire Brigades Union obtained the figures from the outline business case for regional control centres.

Nick Raynsford: The letter in question was sent to all the chairs of Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) in England. It did not accuse any specific authority of leaking information to the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) but reflected findings that the leak did not originate from an official, consultant or from the Regional Management Boards.
	An internal investigation showed that the version of the Outline Business Case (OBC) that was acquired by the FBU was the same as that circulated in confidence to Fire and Rescue Authority chairs. Forensic analysis showed that at some point between it being sent out to FRAs and the FBU placing it on their website it was electronically manipulated by a technically competent person. That analysis also showed that it was not leaked by anyone at headquarters.

High Hedges

John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to offer training to local councils with regard to the high hedges provisions contained within the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2004.

Phil Hope: To assist local authorities in implementing Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003the high hedges legislationthe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be issuing detailed guidance, which will cover such matters as how to deal with complaints and will include model letters and forms. Additionally, we are planning to hold a number of regional workshops to which we will invite members of each local authority in England.

High Hedges

John Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he expects antisocial behaviour legislation relating to high hedges to be implemented before Easter.

Phil Hope: The Regulations to implement Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, which gives local authorities the powers to deal with complaints about high hedges, have not yet been laid before Parliament. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will not, therefore, be able to bring the legislation into force before Easter. We are, however, hoping to lay the Regulations before then.

Mayoral Elections (Expense Limits)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to take steps to change election expense limits for local government mayoral elections.

Nick Raynsford: The Government have no plans to change elections expense limits for local government mayoral elections.

Local Government Employees (Medical Retirement)

Bill Tynan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many members of local government pension schemes were granted ill-health retirement in each of the last three years.

Phil Hope: The number of members granted ill-health retirement from the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales in the three years commencing 200102 were 9,805, 7,515 and 6,784 respectively. Information about the number of ill-health retirements granted by other public service pension schemes that operate within local government is not held by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Structural Funds (East Midlands)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list (a) projects and (b) organisations which have received EU Structural Funds in the East Midlands Objective 2 Programme, broken down by amount received.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is available on the website of the Government office for the East Midlands. Full details of projects and organisations that have received European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can be viewed at:
	http://www.go-em.gov.uk/european/obj2/erdf/approved.php?x=0
	Projects and organisations that have received European Social Fund (ESF) can be viewed at:
	http://www.go-em.gov.uk/european/obj2/esf/approved.php?x=0
	The information on the website details grant which has been approved and offered to individual projects and organisations. Requests for information on up to date payments made can be obtained from the Government Office for the East Midlands as follows:
	ERDFMark Klembamklemba.goem@go-regions.gsi.gov. uk
	ESFMelanie Phythianmphythian.goem@go-regions.gsi. gov.uk

Structural Funds (East Midlands)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the East Midlands Objective 2 Programme.

Nick Raynsford: In common with all other regions receiving EU Structural Funds under the Objective 2 Programme, the East Midlands completed a Mid Term Evaluation in October 2003 which assessed the performance of the Programme in its first four years and made recommendations to change its strategy over the second half of the programme. In addition, the programme is reviewed on an annual basis and the findings documented in an Annual Implementation Report. The 2003 Annual Implementation Report was completed in June 2004. Copies of the full report of the East Midlands Mid Term Evaluation and the Annual Implementation Report can be viewed at:
	http://www.go-em.gov.uk/european/obj2/evaluation.php?x=0
	Further information on the Objective 2 Programme can be obtained from Peter Holmes, Head of European Finance, Performance and Policy Team at the Government Office for the East Midlandspholmes.goem@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk

Regional Assemblies

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what purpose his Department requested copies of campaign material from North East Says No during the North East referendum period in 2004.

Nick Raynsford: Schedule 12 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 gives designated organisations (the yes and no campaigns) the right to send a referendum address post free. The referendum addresses must be sent by the universal postal provider. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister therefore put in place a contract with the Royal Mail in summer 2004 to deliver these referendum addresses. The total cost was just under 500,000.
	To ensure that the Royal Mail had complied with the contract and delivered the referendum addresses to a high standard, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also had a small quality control contract with NOP. NOP contacted a sample of the electorate by telephone to ask whether they had received leaflets from the yes or no campaigns. To do this effectively, NOP had to describe the leaflets. Therefore officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister requested a copy of each campaign organisation's leaflet from the Electoral Commission and explained in full the reasons for doing so. Copies of these leaflets were not sent to Ministers or special advisers.
	A copy of the questionnaire used by NOP and their results has today been made available in the Llibrary of the House.

Social Housing (Right to Buy)

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether centrally pooled capital receipts from the sale of council homes under the Right to Buy in debt-free authorities will be used as Approved Development Programme funding.

Keith Hill: Pooled capital receipts from debt-free authorities do not form a dedicated funding stream into any particular grant or borrowing support regime, rather, the level of pooled capital receipts from debt-free authorities are taken account of when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is determining its level of investment in housing, including the Approved Development Programme.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Anti-bribery/Corruption Procedures

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2005, Official Report, column 1011W, on anti-bribery/corruption procedures, if she will make a statement on the conclusions reached following comparison of the revised Export Credits Guarantee Department anti-bribery and corruption procedures and those provided by G7 counterparts.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1922W.

Caviar

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much (a) wild and (b) farmed caviar was imported into the UK in each of the last five years, broken down by country of origin.

Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows UK imports of caviar and caviar substitute for the years 2000 to 2004. Imports for wild and farmed caviar are not separately identified.
	
		Tonnes
		
			 Product/country 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total 
		
		
			 Caviar 
			 Germany 14 1 10 87 69 181 
			 France 3 1 64 9 43 120 
			 Russia 6 7 0   12 
			 Denmark 0 0 2 2 0 4 
			 Greece3 0 3 
			 Others 4 1 2 2 2 12 
			 Caviar total 27 11 78 102 115 333 
			
			 Caviar substitute  
			 Iceland 229 134 17 39 10 430 
			 Denmark 33 52 29 27 26 167 
			 USA 3 38 8 6 21 75 
			 Greece 3 8 3 1 27 42 
			 Netherlands 0 3 1 1 23 29 
			 Others 9 7 15 13 47 91 
			 Caviar substitute total 278 242 73 88 153 835 
		
	
	Note:
	2004 data are subject to amendments until 30 June 2005
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise
	Data prepared by Trade statistics, Food Chain Analysis 3, DEFRA

Company Law

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the (a) next steps and (b) timetable for the Government's review of company law; and what proposals she is considering to change the liability of individual directors of UK companies, when a company causes social or environmental damage overseas.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Parliament has already passed the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004, and agreed the Companies Act 1985 (International Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/2947). The Companies Act 1985 (Accounts of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise and Audit Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/16) are also in force. The draft Companies Act 1985 (Operating and Financial Review and Directors' Report etc.) Regulations 2005 have been laid before Parliament for approval.
	Completion of implementation of the Company Law Review will be achieved through the Company Law Reform Bill, draft clauses for which will be published this session. The Bill will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.

Department Store Chargecards

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the levels of interest charged on department store chargecards.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In March 2004, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) published a report on the store card market and referred the supply of store card services to the Competition Commission.
	The OFT report raised particular concerns about the rate of interest on store cards compared to credit cards; a lack of transparency and clarity for customers; the ability of store card providers to enter the market; and the ability of existing providers to expand market share.
	As part of its inquiry, the Competition Commission published its emerging thinking in January this year. It is due to publish its final report by early July.

Departmental Policies (Havant)

Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Havant constituency, the effects on Havant of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department of Trade and Industry has provided funding totalling 253,572 since 2 May 1997, to organisations in the Havant constituency through the Small Business Service's grant for Research and Development formerly known as SMART.
	In addition the South East England Development Agency, which receives funding from the Department of Trade and Industry and others has provided a range of initiatives that have an impact on Havant. Havant is a SEEDA priority area for economic regeneration and they have invested in excess of 20,000,000 in the Havant area since 1999. Projects include five rounds of Single Regeneration Budget funding targeting more than 9 million at Havant, principally in the Leigh Park area, a 10 million investment in the Broadmarsh area, in particular acquiring 12 hectares of brownfield land that has been developed in four phases providing 7,400 sq m of office and industrial units and 6,300,000 Area Investment Framework funding in South East Hampshire over four years.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Committee on security of information systems, (ii) Committee for the implementation of the multi-annual Community action plan on promoting the safe use of the Internet and (iii) Committee on projects of common interest in the field of trans-European telecommunications networks met; when and where each meeting took place; what UK Government expert was present at each meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Committee on the Security of Information Systems (know as SOGIS) did not meet during the Presidencies of the European Council you have specified. It has not done so since 1998. The Committee on the implementation of the multi-annual Community action plan on promoting the safe use of the Internet did not meet during the Italian and Dutch Presidencies; but did so during the Irish Presidency of the EU, on 27 January 2004 in Luxembourg, and was attended by an official from the Home Office.
	The Financial Committee and Guidelines Committee for the trans-European telecommunications networks (eTEN) met nine times during the course of the three Presidencies (on 3 October, 29 October and 18 November 2003 and on 20 January, 26 April, 15 July, 23 September, 9 November and 14 December 2004). The meetings took place in Brussels with the exception of that on 3 October 2003, which was held in Milan. On each occasion the United Kingdom was represented by an official from the Digital Content and Publishing Unit of the Department of trade and Industry.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch Presidency of the EU the Committee for the management of generalised preferences met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Further to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 19 November 2003, Official Report, column 979W, and 19 October 2004, Official Report, column 645W, the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Committee met in Brussels three times during the Italian Presidency on 11 July 2003, 13 October 2003, 24 November 2003 and once during the Irish Presidency on 18 June 2004. No GSP Committee took place during the Dutch Presidency.
	Both UK and Brussels based staff attended these meetings.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee on conformity assessment and surveillance of the telecommunications market met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Meetings of the Telecommunications Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee took place during:
	(a) the Italian presidency on 1819 September 2003 in Luxembourg, when four officials from my Department, one from the Office of Telecommunications and one from the Home Office attended; .
	(b) the Irish presidency on 2324 March 2004 in Luxembourg, when three officials from my Department and one from the Office of Communications attended, and on 2122 June 2004 in Luxembourg when three officials from my Department and one from the Office of Communications attended; and
	(c) the Dutch presidency on 1718 November 2004 in Brussels when two officials from my Department and one from the Office of Communications attended.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on Protection Against Subsidised Imports met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee on Defence Against Obstacles to Trade Which Affect the Market of the Community or a Non-member Country met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: These Committees are not recognised under the tiles given. Matters relating to trade defence issues would have been discussed in the EU Advisory Anti-Dumping and Anti-Subsidy Committee. This Committee met in Brussels as follows:
	Italian Presidency
	2 July, 24 July, 3 September, 11 September, 16 October, 17 November, 1 December and 18 December 2003.
	Irish Presidency
	15 January, 30 January, 12 February, 8 March, 7 April, 21 April, 13 May and 1617 June 2004; and
	Dutch Presidency
	22 July, 7 September, 1415 October, 16 November and 16 December 2004.
	Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry attended each meeting.

Flexible Employment

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) men and (b) women have so far exercised their right to request more flexible employment arrangements; and how many have been successful, broken down by gender.

Gerry Sutcliffe: From the results of the First Working Employee Survey (2004) 10 per cent. all of male employees requested to work flexibly, compared with 16 per cent. of all female employees. However of those with children under six 10 per cent. of male employees, compared with 37 per cent. of female employees have requested flexible working.
	Over three quarters (77 per cent.) of flexible working requests were fully accepted and a further 9 per cent. were either partly accepted or a compromise arrangement was reached. 78 per cent. of all female employees reported requests being fully accepted, compared with 75 per cent. of all male employees.

Gas Prices

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to limit the impact of the recent gas price rises on customers with low incomes.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 28 February 2005
	I am working with the industry, Ofgem, Energywatch and voluntary sector to ensure that customers on low incomes are aware of, and take advantage of, the significant reductions that can be made in energy bills by transferring supplier, using the cheapest and simplest payment methods, installing energy efficiency measures and accessing Government and industry social and fuel poverty programmes.

Hydrogen Fuel

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to develop new and renewable energy sources in the North East and Tees Valley, with particular reference to the use of hydrogen.

Mike O'Brien: The Government's role is to provide a supportive regulatory/fiscal framework for the development of renewable energy sources. The Government's key mechanism for supporting the development of renewables is the Renewables Obligation. The obligation is a market-based mechanism which is technology neutral. In addition to the obligation the Government are spending over 500 million between 2002 and 2008 on R and D and funding for capital grants for emerging renewable and low carbon technologies.
	Hydrogen is an energy carrier (like electricity), not a renewable energy source. It can be produced via a number of different routes, including electrolysis using fossil, renewable or nuclear electricity, or by chemical reactions using biomass, natural gas or coal.

Kazakhstan

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many visits were made to Kazakhstan by her (a) officials and (b) Ministers in 2004.

Douglas Alexander: Officials made four visits to Kazakhstan in 2004. There were no ministerial visits.

Nuclear Waste

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Department's policy is towards burying nuclear waste.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK Government and devolved Administrations have established the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to assess the options for the long term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive waste. This includes underground disposal. The Committee's recommendations are due to be delivered in July 2006. Further details of CoRWM's work programme, including the options that the Committee is considering, can be found at www.corwm.org.uk.

Post Office

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office closures have been stopped following objections from local users in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Under the urban reinvention programme, to date, 78 closure proposals have been withdrawn following public consultation.
	Data prior to the start of the urban reinvention programme in November 2002 is not available.

Post Office

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have been closed since the start of the Post Office Reinvention Programme.

Gerry Sutcliffe: To the end of December 2004, the latest quarter for which figures are available, 2,070 sub-post office had closed under the Urban Reinvention Programme.

Postal Services (Scotland)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations were conducted with mail users in Scotland on the opening of the UK postal services market to full competition by 1 January 2006.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Postcomm conducted consultations concerning the opening of the UK postal services market to full competition throughout the UK including Scotland.

Solar Photovoltaics

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's estimate is of the number of jobs that will be affected in the solar PV industry and related sectors in (a) Wales and (b) the UK when the Government's 20022012 solar PV Major Demonstration Programme comes to an end in March 2006.

Mike O'Brien: The Department plans to continue its support for PV and other building scale renewables through a low carbon building programme. This programme will succeed both the Major PV Demonstration Programme and the Clear Skies programme which are due to end in March 2006
	The low carbon building programmes is currently under development and there will be formal consultation on this later this year. As recommended in the Renewables Innovation Review, February 2004, the programme will be technology blind addressing building integrated renewables and energy efficiency technologies. Therefore the Department has not estimated the number of jobs that will be affected in the solar PV industry and related sectors by the introduction of this programme.

Solar Photovoltaics

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure continuity of capital grant support for large scale solar PV installations when stream 2 funding allocations under her Department's 2002 to 2012 solar PV demonstration programme comes to an end in November.

Mike O'Brien: The final call for proposals for the Major PV Demonstration programme will take place at the end of 2005. Grants are expected to be paid up to March 2007.
	The Department plans to continue its support for PV and other building scale renewables through a low carbon building programme. The low carbon building programme is currently under development and there will be formal consultation on this later this year. The programme is expected to begin operating in financial year 200607.

Trade Balance

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent steps her Department has taken to promote trade with Europe.

Douglas Alexander: My Department promotes trade with Europe on an ongoing basis through UK Trade and Investment, the Government organisation which helps UK companies build their international business success. It does so through a range of services and support designed to help companies gain international trade skills and turn trade opportunities into real business.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Recipients (Scotland)

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in Scotland were in receipt of (a) the minimum income guarantee, (b) council tax benefit, (c) jobseeker's allowance and (d) housing benefit in 200203;
	(2)  how many non-pensioners in Scotland were in receipt of income support in 200203.

Chris Pond: The information is in the table.
	
		Benefit recipients in Scotland, 200203
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Housing Benefit 447,700 
			 Council Tax Benefit 527,900 
			 Jobseekers Allowance 101,000 
			 Minimum Income Guarantee 185,400 
			 Income Support (non-pensioners) 260,100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	3. HB/CTB figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4. Council Tax Benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.
	5. Housing Benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.
	6. Figures are given as a four quarter average (May, August, November 2002 and February 2003).
	7. Non-pensioners are defined as working age claimants (i.e. men aged 1664 and women aged 1659) therefore there will be a small overlap between the Income Support non-pensioner figure and the Minimum Income Guarantee figure; men aged 6064 are counted in both categories.
	Sources:
	Information Directorate, 5 per cent. samples for Income Support and Minimum Income Guarantee; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count; and Seasonally adjusted count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.

Council Tax Benefit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will issue notifications of basic entitlement to council tax benefit to relevant claimants of pension credit.

Chris Pond: The Pension Service are already doing much to promote council tax benefit take-up, from issuing a housing benefit/council tax benefit claim form to everyone who calls the pension credit application line and wishes to claim, to helping people fill in this form when visiting pensioners to take a claim for pension credit.
	The Pension Service have also recently provided local authorities with details of those people in their area claiming pension credit but not claiming housing benefit or council tax benefit, for authorities to use to complement their own take-up activities.

Disability Awareness Training

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on disability awareness training in 200304; and what information he collects concerning the (a) number and (b) occupation of training recipients.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 21 February 2005
	The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a variety of training for its staff which raises awareness of disability. It is principally aimed at advisers and other people who deal with the public but some is available to all employees. It includes an event called 'Dealing with Vulnerable Groups' which helps staff in dealing with people who are deaf or are visually impaired or who have mental health issues.
	In addition to formal training courses, people are increasingly developed by a variety of other means, including mentoring and e-learning in the work place. These include The Diversity Toolkit, which offers a range of training options and which won a British Diversity silver award in the innovation and awareness category in 2004. The disability awareness strand of this has been made compulsory for staff in several DWP businesses.
	Although the Department works in partnership with external organisations to develop disability awareness products, training is only delivered to the Department's own staff.
	The Department does not collect information about the numbers of its staff who access particular types of training or the cost of delivering different types of training. This information could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many company (a) directors, (b) managers and (c) secretaries have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for health and safety offences under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 in each year since 1996.

Jane Kennedy: Information is not available in the format requested. The numbers of company directors or other senior corporate officers (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for offences under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in each year since 1996, in cases following as HSE investigation, are as follows.
	
		
			  Year(25) Number of individuals prosecuted Number of individuals convicted 
		
		
			 199697 17 15 
			 199798 6 5 
			 199899 9 9 
			 19992000 17 12 
			 200001 16 15 
			 200102 16 11 
			 200203 18 9 
			 200304(26) 12 10 
		
	
	(25) Year refers to operational year which runs from 1 April to 31 March.
	(26) Figures for 200304 are provisional
	Information specifically about company directors, managers or secretaries is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	Similar figures for local authority cases are not available from the (voluntary) local authority returns on health and safety enforcement.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the question tabled by the right hon. Member for Birkenhead on 19 January, reference 210053.

Chris Pond: An answer was given on 21 February 2005, Official Report, columns 40506W.

Pension Service

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of calls made to the crisis line from Scotland in each month since July 2004 (a) were answered within 30 seconds, (b) received an engaged tone or recorded message that all agents are busy and (c) were abandoned.

Chris Pond: The information is not available.

Public Service Pensions

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of the review of the local government, health and other public service pension schemes.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	The cost of the reviews of local government, health and other public service pension schemes is a matter for the individual Departments which are responsible for the schemes and is not available centrally.

Social Fund

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund (a) community care grants, (b) crisis loans and (c) budgeting loan applications have been (i) made and (ii) received by Jobcentre plus in Scotland in each month since January 2002.

Chris Pond: Information is only available on the number of Social Fund claim applications received.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		Numbers of applications for Social Fund Community Care Grants (CCGs), Crisis Loans (CLs) and Budgeting Loans (BLs) received in Scotland since January 2002
		
			  CCGs CLs BLs 
		
		
			 January 2002 6,700 29,290 17,100 
			 February 2002 8,060 27,810 19,730 
			 March 2002 8,550 28,130 21,350 
			 April 2002 8,400 27,870 22,270 
			 May 2002 8,840 28,240 21,960 
			 June 2002 7,050 24,390 18,580 
			 July 2002 8,320 27,230 20,330 
			 August 2002 8,150 27,000 19,100 
			 September 2002 7,520 23,670 18,360 
			 October 2002 9,040 27,900 25,000 
			 November 2002 8,790 24,030 28,390 
			 December 2002 6,550 21,560 17,910 
			 January 2003 7,420 28,570 17,540 
			 February 2003 8,190 26,200 19,370 
			 March 2003 8,290 25,510 20,530 
			 April 2003 8,180 25,820 20,200 
			 May 2003 7,850 26,660 20,150 
			 June 2003 7,820 27,440 20,210 
			 July 2003 8,060 28,280 18,910 
			 August 2003 7,210 26,530 18,020 
			 September 2003 8,000 26,870 18,910 
			 October 2003 8,590 28,940 23,350 
			 November 2003 8,270 24,610 25,950 
			 December 2003 6,850 24,700 19,010 
			 January 2004 6,930 28,300 15,610 
			 February 2004 7,620 28,120 17,030 
			 March 2004 9,080 30,260 21,430 
			 April 2004 7,400 24,500 18,050 
			 May 2004 7,590 25,410 17,850 
			 June 2004 8,360 26,860 19,250 
			 July 2004 7,010 22,750 15,380 
			 August 2004 7,840 25,140 17,530 
			 September 2004 7,030 24,320 16,670 
			 October 2004 7,280 23,710 18,980 
			 November 2004 8,260 24,350 27,420 
			 December 2004 6,270 22,500 18,260 
			 January 2005 6,780 27,820 12,810 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Jobcentre Plus was created in April 2002. Data prior to that is for the Benefits Agency.
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan/Iraq

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent since 2001 on UK military operations (a) solely and (b) mainly relating to (i) Afghanistan and (ii) Iraq.

Adam Ingram: Ministry of Defence identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. Additional costs for larger operations are identified separately and are published in the MOD's annual report and accounts following audit by the NAO.
	On this basis, the cost of military operations in Afghanistan from 200102 to the end of 200304 was 578 million. Similarly, the cost of activities in Iraq under Operation Telic commencing in 200203 and to the end of 200304 was 2,158 million.
	Figures for costs in 200405 will be published in the MOD's annual report and accounts for 200405 in the autumn.

Aircraft Carriers

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the (a) timescale for, (b) size of, (c) capability of, (d) contracts for, (e) sub-contracts for and (f) cost of the new aircraft carriers.

Adam Ingram: Our target acquisition cost for the Future Carrier (CVF) programme is around 3 billion, with target in service dates of 2012 and 2015. The project is in its Assessment Phase. We have not so far sought to fix the dimensions of the ships, but are focusing instead on the future capability required. This was outlined in the July 2004 Defence White Paper supplement Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities. As is normal for a project at this stage, the design will continue to evolve. The timescale, cost and performance parameters will be set following the main investment decision.
	We believe that the Alliance approach represents the best prospect for delivering the future carriers to time and cost. Discussions are ongoing on the contracting arrangements for the Demonstration and Manufacture phase of the project.

Army Officers

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) established and (b) current trained strength of officers in the British Army is, broken down by arm.

Ivor Caplin: The information in the following table is the strength and establishment figures for Trained UK Regular Army Officers as at 1 January 2005:
	
		
			 Arm/Service Establishment Strength 
		
		
			 Total 13,720 13,760 
			 Staff 830 820 
			 Household Cavalry/Royal Armoured Corps 800 860 
			 Royal Regiment of Artillery 1,020 1,060 
			 Corps of Royal Engineers 1,290 1,200 
			 Royal Corps of Signals 960 1,000 
			 Infantry 2,500 2,950 
			 Army Air Corps 510 480 
			 Royal Army Chaplain's Department 160 130 
			 The Royal Logistic Corps 1,670 1,640 
			 Royal Army Medical Corps 980 860 
			 Corps of Royal Electrical And Mechanical Engineers 800 850 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Staff And Personnel Support Branch) 230 210 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Provost Branch) 480 470 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Educational and Training Services Branch) 330 330 
			 Adjutant General's Corps (Army Legal Services Branch) 120 90 
			 Royal Army Veterinary Corps 20 20 
			 Small Arms School Corps 30 30 
			 Royal Army Dental Corps 170 150 
			 Intelligence Corps 330 280 
			 Army Physical Training Corps 50 40 
			 Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps 400 260 
			 Corps of Army Music 30 40 
			 Unallocated   
		
	
	Notes:
	1. UK Regular Army includes nursing services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, mobilised reservists.
	2. Denotes zero or rounded to zero.
	3. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, figures may not always equal the sum of the parts. While rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Canberra PR9

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Canberra PR9 to be withdrawn from service; what will replace the capability; and when.

Adam Ingram: We currently expect the Canberra PR9 to be withdrawn from service in 2006. We will continue to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities through a mix of in-service systems and new equipment programmes that will deliver enhanced capability incrementally.

Chief of the Defence Staff

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methodology is used to calculate the Chief of the Defence Staff's performance-related pay.

Adam Ingram: Following a recommendation from the Senior Salaries Pay Review Body, an incremental pay scale has been introduced for the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). Each year, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, in conjunction with the independent member of the Department's Remuneration Committee, will make recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on whether CDS should move up the incremental pay scale. This recommendation will take account of a short narrative, prepared by the Secretary of State, setting out how CDS has contributed to delivering the Government's objectives for defence over the past year.

Chinook Crash

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date flight lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook were given self-authorisation status for VIP flights, prior to the crash of Chinook ZD576 on 2nd June 1994.

Adam Ingram: Flight Lieutenants J. Tapper and R. Cook were granted self-authorisation for all Chinook flights, other than displays and role demonstrations, on 23 May 1994.

Civil Contingency Reaction Forces

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many personnel are employed as part of the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces;
	(2)  how many personnel are employed as part of the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces in a state of permanent readiness;
	(3)  how many specific Civil Contingency Reaction Force (CCRF) training days have taken place in each year since the creation of CCRF; how many people were involved in each event; and where each such training day was held;
	(4)  how many of the reservists who make up the operational capability of Civil Contingency Reaction Forces are on active duty overseas.

Adam Ingram: The 14 Civil Contingency Reaction Forces (CCRFs) are based on the 14 TA infantry battalions spread across the country and, should the need arise, would be manned by members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces, albeit mainly the Territorial Army. A list of qualified volunteers up to a maximum of 500 per CCRF is maintained by each CCRF Headquarters in order that they can respond at short notice to a crisis. But CCRF volunteers are not permanently employed by the armed forces, nor are they held at permanent readiness.
	It is, however, a fundamental principle that volunteers for the CCRFs agree to be mobilised at relatively short notice. We expect to be able to deploy a CCRF within 24 hours should the need arise, although this may be tempered by the need for additional training depending upon the nature of the crisis.
	The list of CCRF volunteers is dynamic and reflects the availability of individuals as their personal circumstances change. When an individual becomes unavailable, whether through operational deployment or any other change in circumstances, they cease to be a member of the CCRF and another volunteer is brought forward to replace them. In this way the CCRF capability is maintained.
	Volunteers receive five days training per year, in addition to their normal reservist training. Details of individual training activities are not held centrally, but in general the additional days are used to ensure familiarisation and integration with the local authorities and the emergency services and to ensure that the procedures for mobilisation are well practised.
	It should be borne in mind that the CCRFs are neither an automatic nor the only option to respond to a request from the civil authorities for military assistance. Regional commanders will identify the best choice from all available units, regular or reserve, depending on the nature and urgency of the request.

Courts Martial

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will re-examine the operation of courts martial; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The maintenance of a system of military law is essential for the operational effectiveness of the armed forces. Courts martial are a vital element of this system. The next armed forces Bill will introduce a number of changes to the operation of courts martial, as part of the modernisation and harmonisation of service law. These are set out in the Ministry of Defence's Memorandum to the Defence Select Committee of 5 October 2004.

Courts Martial

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether commanding officers are advised in all cases by military lawyers prior to deciding on the most appropriate disciplinary action to take against soldiers facing (a) murder charges and (b) other serious charges.

Ivor Caplin: In accordance with Queen's Regulations, Commanding Officers are obliged in all cases to seek legal advice prior to deciding on the most appropriate disciplinary action to take against soldiers facing murder charges and other serious charges.

Falcon II

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Falcon II tactical radio sets have been used in Iraq since November 2004.

Adam Ingram: The Bowman PRC325 High Frequency patrol radio and the AN/PRC117F radio are both variants of the Falcon II range of radios. Some 330 Bowman PRC325 have been delivered to Iraq for use by UK forces since November 2004. A small number of AN/PRC117F radios have been used by UK forces in Iraq since November 2004.

Infantry Future Army Structure

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2005, Official Report, column 50W, on Infantry Future Army Structure, what procedure will be used for a regiment with two or more battalions in deciding which Sandhurst officer cadets are to join which battalion; and whether the procedure is the same for all super regiments.

Adam Ingram: Recruitment of officer cadets under the Future Infantry Structure will be by regiment rather than by battalion. An individual posting policy is presently being developed and therefore the procedure for assigning officer cadets to a specific battalion has yet to be determined. However, individual posting preferences will be accommodated where possible, while recognising that the interests of the Regiment and the Infantry must come first.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when UK armed service personnel first received the United States military planning document on the Iraq war which contained references to P day, A day and G day.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 24 January 2005
	P, A and G day are standard US military planning terms. They refer to the day a presidential decision would be required for military action (P day), in order for action to commence in the air (A day) and on the ground (G day) by specified dates.
	As set out in the Butler report, UK and US military personnel had frequent discussions on Iraq dating back to June 2002. However the decision to resort to military action to ensure that Iraq fulfilled its obligations imposed by successive UN Security Council Resolutions was taken only after other routes to disarm Iraq had failed. The decision to commit UK forces was taken after approval of the House had been secured in the vote on 18 March 2003.

Joint Strike Fighter Programme

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's current estimate is of the cost of the Joint Strike Fighter programme.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom's procurement cost is likely to be up to 10 billion, depending on the eventual number of aircraft required. In service support costs will be determined by whatever through life support strategy we decide to adopt.

Military Bands

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department is of maintaining the military bands of (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army, (c) the Royal Air Force and (d) the Royal Marines.

Ivor Caplin: The approximate annual costs to the Ministry of Defence of maintaining military bands are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 Royal Navy 0 
			 Army 24.0 
			 Royal Air Force 5.5 
			 Royal Marines 8.4 
		
	
	The costs comprise band personnel and associated expenses, e.g. travel, but not infrastructure costs. Personnel costs include time spent on other duties, e.g. first aid support.

Queen's Flight

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each of the past three years an aircraft from the Queen's Flight carrying Ministers on official business has stopped off at a UK airport other than RAF Northolt during a return flight from overseas.

Ivor Caplin: The number of occasions in each of the past three financial years an aircraft from 32 (The Royal) Squadron carrying Ministers on official business has stopped off at a UK airport other than RAF Northolt is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 April 2002 to March 2003 17 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 17 
			 April 2004 to February 2005 8 
		
	
	Since RAF Northolt is not open on a 24 hour basis, these figures include occasions when aircraft from 32 (The Royal) Squadron have had to land at London Heathrow when RAF Northolt was closed.

RAF Personnel (Warton)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF personnel work at BAE Warton, broken down by rank.

Adam Ingram: The numbers of RAF personnel who were posted to Warton at the 1 July 2004 are shown in the table. These are Trained RAF Regular Forces and Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Wing Commander and above  
			 Squadron Leader 5 
			 Junior Officer 5 
			 Total Officers 10 
			   
			 Master Aircrew and Warrant Officer 5 
			 Flight Sergeant 10 
			 Chief Technician 30 
			 Sergeant (including FTRS) 30 
			 Corporal 5 
			 Senior Aircraftsman/woman  
			 Total Ranks 80 
			   
			 Total RAF personnel 95 
		
	
	(27) Denotes fewer than 5.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	2. Due to rounding methods used totals may not equal the sum of their parts.

Secondary Monitoring

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which naval bases have a policy of mandatory secondary monitoring; which do not; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the reasons were for implementing mandatory secondary monitoring at (a) HM Rosyth and (b) HM Base Devonport;
	(3)  what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect on levels of safety of introducing mandatory secondary monitoring at HM Base Clyde Faslane;
	(4)  whether he plans to introduce mandatory secondary monitoring for radiation at HM naval base Clyde Faslane; what modifications of existing facilities would be required to allow such monitoring; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: At HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) staff working in the Active Processing Facility and the Nuclear Repair Workshop are required to use routine secondary monitoring. Staff exiting submarine reactor compartments are monitored by suitably qualified and experienced workers, using appropriate hand held instrumentation, capable of detecting very low levels of radioactive contamination. This monitoring is precautionary as work procedures and protective clothing are designed to minimise the chance of becoming contaminated. Secondary monitoring (using a walk-through monitor), which takes place after the worker has completed primary monitoring and removed his protective clothing, is mandatory when contamination is suspected or found. All nuclear safety matters relating to the Royal Dockyards at Rosyth and Devonport are a responsibility of the owners of the Dockyards: Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited and Devonport Management Limited respectively. However, they must comply with nuclear safety regulations including the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999.
	There are no plans to make secondary monitoring mandatory at the Clyde Naval Base as current arrangements within existing facilities comply with legal requirements and have been assessed by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE/NII). A recent review of the options for enhancing monitoring arrangements for new facilities has been completed and will inform future worker monitoring protocols. There are no further plans, at this stage, to commission research into whether levels of safety would be increased by introducing mandatory secondary monitoring.

Swan Hunter Contract

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2005, Official Report, column 1017W, on Swan Hunter, what the clerical error was; what investigation he has conducted into the reasons for the error; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I have looked into the reasons behind this error and Ministry of Defence officials have found that:
	Shortly after the parliamentary question was received by the Department on 24 November 2004, officials drafted a reply. That draft reply accurately reflected the situation at that time. This was forwarded to the Department's parliamentary branch on 25 November 2004. As the question concerned a defence procurement issue, the reply was passed to my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement (Lord Bach)'s Private Office for clearance.
	My hon. Friend the noble Lord was on official duties overseas between the periods 29 November to 5 December, 6 to 9 December, and 9 to 10 December. Some time between the period 5 to 21 December, my hon. Friend the noble Lord cleared the draft reply. Our records do not show the exact date this happened, but this was more likely to have been towards the end of this period.
	On 9 December, the Department concluded its negotiations with Swan Hunter regarding the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) project and a contract amendment was signed. At this point, the reply which had been drafted no longer accurately reflected the situation.
	By the time the reply was signed out of Minister (DP)'s Private Office on 21 December, the answer was incorrect. This was not identified by the Private Office.
	I approved the reply at some point between 21 December 2004 and 7 January 2005, on the assumption that the reply and supporting advice provided was accurate. The reply was returned to the Table Office on 7 January 2005. The reply appeared in the Official Report on the next sitting day, 10 January 2005.
	This was a regrettable incident resulting from a genuine error. There was no intention by Ministers deliberately to mislead the House. My hon. Friend the noble Lord has put in place measures to improve the handling procedures in his Private Office which should help prevent such an incident happening again.

Trident

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment of possible acquisition costs for a replacement for the Trident nuclear submarine he has made.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates have been made of the possible acquisition costs of a replacement for the Trident nuclear warhead delivery system.

Geoff Hoon: We made clear in the 2003 Defence White Paper (paragraph 3.11) that decisions on the UK's future nuclear deterrent capability were not needed during this Parliament but were likely to be needed during the next Parliament. Cost factors will of course be taken fully into account along with all other relevant issues.

Trident

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last risk assessment was made on the transportation of nuclear material for the Trident nuclear system; and whether the Scottish Executive has been involved in the risk assessment process.

Geoff Hoon: The last risk assessment on the transport of nuclear material for the Trident nuclear system was issued in January 2005. The Scottish Executive was not involved in the generation of this risk assessment.

Trident

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents have taken place since 1990 involving (a) nuclear warheads and (b) other nuclear material related to the Trident nuclear missile system.

Geoff Hoon: None.

Trident

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last reviewed command and control procedures for the Trident missile system.

Geoff Hoon: All aspects of the operation of the UK nuclear deterrent force are audited on a regular basis.

Trident

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of potential risks of malfunction in the (a) nuclear warhead and (b) delivery system of the Trident nuclear missile.

Geoff Hoon: Comprehensive assessments of risks arising from ownership of the Trident missile and associated warheads were undertaken before introduction into service. Risk is kept under constant review and arrangements are in place to ensure formal regular reporting to the appropriate bodies.